Christmas 2013

Snow - they’d never seen snow, nor had they met my brother Russell and his bride Patty.  The fall semester being over, it was a good time to put Ái Nhân and Kiên in the back seat of the car and head north to Colorado.

The first 625 miles were pretty boring, but in Lubbock, the weather seemed out to get us.  Refueling in heavy rain with a wind that seemed determined to blow the cold wet on me, we checked the radar and saw we could make Amarillo that night, albeit with rain the whole way.  We checked into our motel, then went to eat in Cindy’s favorite dining spot - Waffle House.

Morning light showed only dark clouds, but as we were packing up the car, the first snowflakes fluttered down - much to Kiên’s delight.  But by the time we got to Dalhart (almost into New Mexico), the snow was heavy and the roads very slippery.  Lots of accidents.

A stop at Mickey D’s for a burger and wi-fi - and a chance to walk around in the snow - a chance taken, but soon followed by getting back inside for some warmth.

(Be sure to click on this and the other photos to see a larger size image.)


Radar showed the snow ended at Clayton, New Mexico - a fact confirmed by a traveler who’d just come through that road.  Once past Clayton, it was clear until Colorado Springs.  Going through the city, the snow started again - the long climb up Monument Hill in ever-increasing snow had me a bit worried, but we soon arrive safe and sound in LIttleton.

Even with a nice blaze in the fireplace, Ái Nhân and Kiên felt a bit chilly.  The Sriracha-flavored jerky helped a bit, though.

Way back in the late 50s, my parents moved to south Florida.  They loved living there, but I remember them both saying they missed the four seasons.  Because I had teenage dementia, I didn’t understand.  Today, I live in deep south Texas, and I too miss the four seasons.  Most of the time we spent in Colorado were bright shiny days, perfect for a nice walk alongside the frozen creek.  The daily walks gave me a chance to reflect on how very blessed my life has been.


Christmas morning broke late - (there weren’t any kids in the house) - but we couldn’t start opening gifts until we had a mimosa under our belts.


And, of course, we had to have something to eat with those mimosa, eh?  Some fresh-baked cranberry bread is perfect on a nippy Christmas morning.


Lots of ooohs and aaaahs as wrapping paper was torn away, but Ba Cindy got kinda of misty-eyed at this gift from Ái Nhân and Kiên.


There was a punster named Patty who decided to give a pair of multi-colored socks to Ái Nhân with the brand name of Hue - which, of course, is Ái Nhân’s home town.  Good one, Patty.


And, Aunt Patty, doing her Michael Jackson impersonation with one glove,  had her  new toy to play with.


It was good to see Kiên loosen up a bit - he got a bit playful with the spoons he received.




Even Rufus got into the act - he was right in the midst of things.

But there were only so many gifts to open - one can eat only so much Christmassy food - one can take only so many naps - before the boredom sets in.  With a little help from Russell, Ái Nhân spent over twelve hours working on this puzzle of an English castle.


But the picture I didn’t take may have been the best one - the picture of all of us around the table, holding hands and thanking God for the gift of His son.  
It was a great Christmas - great indeed.