12/22: Had coffee and conversation with a dear friend. I didn’t realize I missed her so much until we met up again.

Mom picked me up after work, and we visited a young woman in the nursing home. She’s about my age and has been through so much. Her husband died after only a year of being married. She got her leg amputated in the summer and struggled with skin infections and arthritis with frequent hospital stays. I’m telling you what, this girl has been through the trials of life and still continues to keep her eyes on God.

12/24: Went to church early to work in the kitchen on breakfast.

My aunt, uncle, Brad, Amanda, and Ava came to the house for dinner. Ava was anxious to tear into the presents. I missed having my other brother and his family, but I know it would have been a long and tiring trip. Everyone sat around and talked, and Ava wanted me to play with her new Shopkins. I can’t believe these tiny pieces of furniture and people interest her.

It started snowing, and the wind was blowing hard, so everyone decided to get home quickly. It’s been a long, but very enjoyable day. The food part of the equation was far better than last year. It’s awesome to look back and see God’s hand in my life.

12/25: Went to my aunt’s house for Christmas. I began our 3-hour journey by reading aloud Matthew chapters one and two. Just thinking about the genealogy of Jesus blows my mind. He broke the barriers of prejudice from the very beginning.

I’m so glad I enjoyed every bit of eating and talking together with my aunt and my cousin’s family. We only see each other once a year, but it is always a time of reminiscence about our loved ones who have passed on. They left us wonderful memories. My cousin showed us some pictures on her iPhone of distant and close relatives. One was a picture of my grandma when she was about 25 years old. I have a mole above my upper lip and she had the same mole on the opposite side. I looked at her eyes and it was almost like looking at my own. It gives me a warmth and a sense of love when I see parts of my grandma in me. On the way home I reflected upon today and the importance of family time. Such a wonderful thing to be able to go to family events without the fear of food. I’ve missed many events over the years due to fear of food, but I’m so glad that God woke me up from the life of torment.