Christmas 2016

This year Christmas was a bit bittersweet. We had a wonderful Christmas vacation. . . . full of things like taking the boys to see Rouge One-- a Star Wars spin off-- welcoming Sam home, decorating Christmas cookies, going to the Draft Line, and much needed family time. Yet a shadow hung over our heads during our Christmas break. That shadow was Rich's forthcoming deployment. Yes, you got that right. Rich reported for duty in Fort Meade Maryland on December 27. Merry Christmas to us!

What a juxtaposition we were given: anticipating Rich's departure, while also being in the midst of the holiday cheer. We did what we could to stay in the moment and soak up as much "Dad time" as possible. I actually made sure as best we could to keep priorities straight. There was one night that the boys wanted to snuggle with Dad (which is really code for a sock 'em up wrestling match) where Dad said "Not tonight." I had to step in and make Rich reconsider. "You will wrestle with these boys every night from now until the 27th," I said, "this time with you is precious." He got the idea and mayhem soon ensued.

Yet, I will also give credit to Rich for being able to compartmentalize his Colonel role from his Dad role and his husband role. While he packed and made house repair lists for me to tackle while he was away, he also tossed the ball back and forth with TJ, took the training wheels off of Grant's bike in hopes he would advance to two wheel riding (which did not happen), and spend some good hang out time with Sam. Rich and I also were able to go to the symphony for their Christmas music concert. Somehow, he was able to do it all.

Christmas day was a nice celebration. My focus on gifts this year was things that father and son could hold on to during the deployment. TJ and Dad both got T-Shirt quilts made out of Y Guides, Camp, and Army shirts. Things that represent their time together and common interests so they could snuggle up with each other across the miles. Grant and Dad got a picture book, "Daddy and Me." Thanks to Shutterfly, the book was full of pictures of Dad and Grant and special moments that they have shared. Grant's goal is to be able to read the book on his own by the time Dad gets back.

On December 27th we all piled into the van and took Rich up to Fort Meade. Rich would work during the day and then have the late afternoons and evenings with us. For me, those three days were slow and agonizing. I was ready for all of this to be done and for us to stop the anticipation of the departure and get on with the next few months. I am pretty sure that everyone else felt the same way.

We took Rich to the airport on December 30, said our good byes and drove home. No big drama or tears, in some ways TJ and Grant are still too young to internalize all of this. Samantha, on the other hand, cried for all five of us. On our way home we drove through Washington DC. The boys seemed to enjoy seeing the Monuments and Government buildings. I look forward to when they are old enough to spend a week in our Nation's capital.

In the days after we hugged Dad goodbye, we were able to face time with him just about every day. Life seemed normal. We are used to him being away. But soon, as we deal with time differences, I am sure our new normal will be slightly more difficult to adjust to. But I am hopeful that the days will go fast and the preparation we took before Rich's departure will set us all up for success.God will be with us.

Christmas is about family, juxtapositions (who ever heard of a King being born in a stable?), and the message of hope for a world that needs saving. I think Christmas 2016 captured these things for the Brown family quite well. Not the way I would prefer, but the message is loud and clear all the same.

Cookie decoration fun

Ah, the Christmas Tree

Pile-ons can be so much fun!