A Gift for Christmas

I had not even tried to hope.

I knew this Christmas my youngest 

son would not be able to come home.

Mac has grown up, he is a man, 

he has moved away, making his own way

in this world we live in. No mom could be prouder of her

son. He has done it all on his own. With no help from Mom or Dad

he found the college he wanted to attend, applied,was accepted, earned

multiple scholarships and maintained them the whole time he was in school.

While working with local companies building his

resume and expanding his knowledge and talents

Mac graduated with two degrees 

from Savannah College of Art and Design.

 Mac then packed his bags and headed off to the other side of

the country not knowing a single soul yet having faith

he would be able to find the job of his dreams.

I have not even let myself think about Mac coming home for Christmas.

I could do nothing more than send gifts to Seattle hoping he would feel 

loved this Christmas. I even sent him a small decorated Christmas tree

and Chicken Pot Pies.

I just wanted him to have a small piece of home.

Thinking on it now, I should have sent him sea shells and sand.

LOL

You see my whole family told me two week ago that they tried to

buy Mac an airplane ticket for Christmas to surprise

my husband Jay and I.

Mac has been interviewing for jobs, working on an upcoming

art show and he just got an internship with a non-profit. 

Not knowing when he will get a call to interview 

there was no way Mac could come 

home for Christmas.

I then knew for sure my son would not make it home. There was 

just no way he could get here.

Being the romantic that I am, I found myself looking up in the sky

as a seaplane flew over head dreaming

 that the plane would land in front of my house and Mac would be inside.

Then I stomped my foot and said to myself," get a grip, 

he can't come."

Trying to get my mind off of the obvious I asked Jay if he would

help me deliver Christmas gifts to our island friends.

He said,"Sure! Let me just finish this paragraph I'm reading."

So I gathered the gifts and waited 

as Jay snuck a peak at his watch and kept on reading.

Then he got up out of his chair and helped me load the gifts on to

our golf cart and off we went to the island post office.

After all the packages were place in their appropriate mail slots

I found Jay looking at his watch again as he said," Let's go see

how Michael and Karen's house is coming along." So we left

our cart and walked down to our friend's house. Karen gave me a tour

of their home, which is looking very good by the way, then we sat

and visited. After awhile I tapped Jay on the shoulder saying,

"I really should go cheek on the chicken I have in the oven."

Jay kept on talking and looked at his watch. Finally he got up and 

we said our good-byes and headed out the door.

Jay and I started walking down the sandy island road

 talking and holding hands. Just by chance I looked over at the 

dock where the boats bring in guests. A young man was getting off

of the boat. I kept staring at him thinking,"No, it can't be."

I then looked at Jay," Is that my son getting off of that boat?"

He smiled and said "I believe it is."

My feet started carrying me faster than my head would allow.

Am I dreaming?

My eyes would not leave the man on the dock. 

Tears were beginning to well up in my eyes as they followed

his every step. Finally, my head caught up with my feet.

There he was in front of me, I wrapped my arms around him. 

Jay took Mac's bag. Then I received that wonderful "Mac hug". 

My heart began to sing.

Mac wanted to surprise me and that he did!

I am so humbled by the giving hearts of my family this Christmas

and I am so very thankful Mac was able to come home.

Over the years I have learned to cherish moments like these, knowing that as our 

children grow up and leave the nest time grows short but moments such as these last a life time.