A Season of Sparkle...

 

All of the Christmas cards had been sent, the holiday shopping completed, suitcases packed. It was December 21st.... Time to start CHRISTMAS (with a 5.50 hour drive ahead of us), with family, in "Hometown", Kansas.

 

I am truly a Kansas girl! I smile when I see the rickety ol' Christmas decorations STILL making their annual appearance for the small town folk and visitors to enjoy. (Some, looking as if it may be their last holiday season)! I look at everything when we travel. I think. Mostly about life, and how interesting it really is. The changes that I have encountered.... The risks in which I have taken..... The many moves ( which is how this blog got the name, "Vagabond"). At the time I did not understand the reason for my pain and my challenges, but looking at my life in the present, I am so grateful to have been given those obstacles. Really.

Just me and my best pal, Paul. Another adventure...

Another Christmas, and, although for only one night... New memories to be made with my parents, my brother and sister-in-law, and my precious niece and nephew.

It was glorious! Lots of laughter and good food! The evening went by too quickly. The next morning we said our goodbyes and then it was off to share some Christmas with Paul's mother, also in "Hometown". After a breakfast consisting of biscuits and gravy... And a little shopping...

We were back on the road. Destination: Colorado to visit Paul's dad... And to stay in his "Christmas cabin" in the woods.

It was quite cold by night and there was a blanket of snow up in the mountains. It was beautiful...

And once inside of the cabin, Paul brewed a pot of coffee and got a fire started in the stone fireplace. I was busy bolting from room to room, snapping pictures!

I then sat down on the sofa. Exhausted from the traveling, yet excited to be here...

In such a pretty place, with such a great guy, (and with a perfect cup of java). I was eager to upload the new photos onto my new iPad...

When suddenly, Paul was kneeling down, on one knee, in front of me...

And something very magical took place, right here, by the fire.

 

He said to me, "Missy, will you make me the happiest man in the world"? He had in his hand, this open box...

Inside of it was this! Sparkle...sparkle. Squeal, hug, giggle! Thinking back on that moment, I don't recall even saying, "yes".... But oh, YES!!!! Paul is perfect for me and I couldn't be happier! I will marry my best friend! The man who flew out to the East Coast in a hurricane to help get me back to Kansas.... The man who offered his home to me when I needed one, the man who fixed my broken heart and even made it better than the old heart! Giggle, giggle. Paul is the man who has brought laughter back into my life... Every day is a play date together as we share many same interests and seek new discoveries. Well, I would be a fool to not say YES! I truly am living again, and it is a wonderful life with my Paul.

As we do most everything...

We aren't wasting every precious moment planning for the big event, or consuming our thoughts with heavy details. We live in the moment. We may marry on another road trip, or in a chapel.... By a fake Elvis... ( NOT). It may happen next week.... Or next year. None of that seems important right now. I'm exactly where I want to be and with whom I want to share life with. At age 47, I am as giddy as a gal can be!

We had a lovely time at the Christmas cabin and Paul's dad joined us there the following day. We saw several sights and Christmas spirit in shop windows, on the streets, in the air.

We were back on the highway on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. A first for me. Travel... On Christmas Day? I would not have even considered doing such a thing on my own, but paul runs his own business and had to get back. I must tell you, it was a very meaningful Christmas Day. That is another story for another time. Just know that I felt more Christmas in my heart than I have in many years. If we open our minds and our eyes to circumstances, and to new people and places... We receive the greatest gifts.

More to come!

I hope that you had a very Merry Christmas!