This year’s family ornament is a little different than prior years.  I usually enjoy the happy snowmen made out of dough with our names penned below each one.  But this year called for something more meaningful, something that reflects the unexpected journey we’ve been taking.  I picked “Let Your Light Shine” (book of Matthew) by Theresa Thibault, who sells her beautifully hand-painted ornaments at www.americanornaments.com. I’ve met her several times at the Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte, NC, and her booth was equally spectacular this year.

This year’s ornament is dedicated to Greg.  Scrappy, resourceful, extraordinarily hardworking, wildly talented Greg.  When the Recession came a-knockin’ at our doorstep 7 months ago, Greg did what Greg always does: he smiled, told me everything was fine, and then he pulled up his bootstraps and started working.  On anything.  On everything.  Non-stop, the working followed by the working, surrounded by the workingest working you’ve ever seen.  He started by doing what he does best for professional colleagues, not-for-profits, and friends also trying to work for themselves.  He looked for a “real job” for a short time, but he became busy enough working for himself, that there was little time for the depressing, defunct, and distressed Corporate America .  In the middle of an economy of nothing, Greg managed to find enough of something to see this family through.  And as always, no one was surprised.

For hardworking Greg, there are no parades or parties.  There is just my Captain Eagle Scout, doing his thing, quietly, consistently, and without complaint.  Year after year, I grow more amazed at his steadfastness, his resilience, and his ability to make a life for us out of thin air.  I don’t know where he finds the strength, especially considering he has the 3 of us to carry.  We are cute, but we ain’t light on the spirit, that much I can promise you.  If moaning and groaning were an Olympic Sport, Sara and Kelly and I would OWN the medal ceremony.

So this year Daddy, the ornament is for you.  Your light has kept us fed, clothed, warm, in a school we love, and illuminates the path before us.  And quite personal to me, your scrappiness has kept me at home with the girls.  It means more to me than money, titles, wealth, “stuff”, and loads of other meaningless junk I used to let shape my world view.  We could try, but we could never find the words to express how much we love you.  So I’ll say it on behalf of your lovely ladies….We Love You Honey…Love, Love, Love You!