Because Shanna Said So...: A Moment

color block zara oversized blanket scarf

I wore this outfit for the first round of holiday celebrations. First up was the annual reunion for my dad's side of the family. I will get to more of that in a sec. Then we headed to Ross's family's ranch for our traditional camphouse Christmas. The kids played outside all day and Santa spoiled them rotten. The past few days reminded me of all my blessings, resurrected memories and encompassed moments that stopped me in my hustle and bustle tracks.

Back to Saturday. It marked the 80th year of honoring family and our Savior's birth. Five generations of family members from all over the country came together for an all day celebration. There was even an article written in a local newspaper about our gathering. It is my most treasured holiday celebration and I cringe at the thought of it ending one day. I have never missed and each year it becomes more meaningful, especially since I have been able to pass the experience onto my own children. This year my brother & nephew attended for the first time in eleven years. My aunt and uncle from Colorado finally made it down + all four of their children & their children (my cousins) whom I have not seen since I was a child. The kids participated in a Christmas pageant (mine were angels, of course), we sang happy birthday to Jesus, ate more than our fair share, had a few cocktails, watched videos from 1989, laughed all night and gathered to remember our loved ones that have passed. It was truly remarkable and my favorite year yet.

The most remarkable part? After the evening officially ended, my dad and I sat at the kitchen table and had a spiritual talk for over an hour. He told me things that I never knew about him; how the Lord was working in his life and how he was serving Him. My dad and I are close...my whole family is, but this was different. For the first time, in a long time, it was just the two of us...chatting late night while everyone was fast asleep. He opened his heart to me and in return he opened my eyes to the faith I have taken for granted. I won't go into details because our chat was sacred and special, but I will say it was a moment that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

It really grounded my mind and heart. I have been so busy running like a chicken with my head cut off, focusing on gift buying, holiday hoopla, preparing for endless road trips and the regular daily grind, that I honestly haven't taken more than a few moments to stop and reflect on why, we as Christians, celebrate this season. It made me sad, but at the same time overjoyed that the man I look up to most in this world took time to sit down with me even though it was waaaaaay past his bedtime to share personal stories of how the Lord is working in his life. Tears were shed, stories of testaments were told, scriptures were recited and my heart opened more than it has in along time.

I plan to pass on his personal experiences and wise words to my girls one day. We had a moment...a father and daughter moment that you can't put a price tag on. It was the ultimate holiday gift and I will carry it in my heart for the rest of my days. My wish for you is that you are able to gift or be on the receiving end of something so precious and priceless this holiday season. God bless.