two weeks ago, we decorated our car {thanks for the idea, G!} and set off on a whole long lot of driving. although our christmas season was so very different this year, i still felt very merry. doing what needed to be done to see the people we love, far and away overrode my need to do things any certain way. and, truth be told, it was somewhat liberating to not feel as though i had to make a certain amount of goodies and do a certain amount of decorating. i did what i wanted to to have gifts ready (i do love planning and wrapping gifts), then i just helped with whatever was going on at whatever house we were at for the day. the company, the decorations, the moments of music, the food and treats were all merry and bright. that's not to say that in all of the planning and packing and traveling there weren't a few moments of overwhelm; there were. it is a big deal to plan and execute such a journey.
we saw so many of our dear ones in minnesota. twenty-eight family members and an overflowing handful of friends. had there been a little different organization to our trip, we would have seen a few precious ones that we missed. there are only so many miles that can be driven in fourteen days; over two thousand, four hundred in this trip. we are already planning how to do it even better next year. how to see a couple more very important people. what order to stop and drive and stay and visit. how to share the hours. how to share the time without wearing ourselves out. how to blend connecting with resting.
for a first time trip of this kind, we really did pretty well. the time in the car was comfortable. the packing and unpacking, well, we figured out a few improvements to make for next year. the weather was perfect for driving (obviously not anything we had control over, but a big part of our trip, and something we are so thankful for). and most of all, we were so very blessed with sweet and fun and wonderful (and some loud and crazy) times with our family.
a new christmas time tradition has been born, and i have the tiny tree and snowflake lights packed away for next year, when we'll decorate our ride and drive back to where our family is.