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| Younger Egg Family Circa 2000 |
Like millions of others, Christmas-time has always brought fantastic feelings of happiness, anticipation and wonder to my family and me. Perhaps, the days after have brought to many the same reflective feelings I have had for most of my life; “What could I have done better?” This year has been different as I review it. I have felt overwhelming gratitude, and for good reasons. I think that I have a handle on some of the differences, and I wrote them down on our family’s 12 hour drive back home from the mountains of Georgia.
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| Kevin an Kathy Richards with Daughters, Kelly and Kristy and Families |
We were treated to a week in the mountains over Christmas by Kristy’s wonderful mom and dad. Kristy’s sister, Kelly, and her three boys came out from California. Hannah and Theron had a blast hiking, playing games, decorating cookies, watching movies, and just enjoying some “get-to-know-you-again down-time” with their cousins. Kevin and Kathy Richards really treated us to a wonderful Christmas vacation!
I should paint a snapshot of our family right now. Hannah and Theron are 17 and 16 years of age respectively. They are the youngest of six children, both active in school, church, and loads of extracurricular activities. My wife, Kristy and I are both active in our occupations, church callings, and in college classes at BYU Idaho (on-line). We have precious little extra time, yet we spend more time than ever as a family, the central focus of our lives. That time is spent in what we call family councils where we review calendar items, and share our daily, weekly and long term objective and goals, and then we prayerfully support one another.
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| Two Left at Home: Theron (16), Hannah (17) Flanked by Mom and Dad |
Sometime in October, Hannah and Theron shared some fun facts about a friend from school, a talented artist and overall wonderful young man. This young man’s family fell on some hard times as a result of lost work due to Hurricane Matthew. The family had to move, and our kids took in the young man, whose name is Christian, so that he could continue to go to Poinciana High School. Soon, Christian was attending seminary, youth activities and church with us. His mom, dad and sister followed suit at the beginning of December, and were soon attending church with their son. While on our family vacation, Hannah shared that Christian told her that he wants to go on a mission for the church. This combined with his family’s progress and growth has been a point of happiness for us.
Another fun difference that I identified this year is that no member of our family made any requests for Christmas gifts. We didn’t realize this until after the Christmas morning festivities were completed. The questions that came, such as, “Did you get what you wanted?” were thought provoking.
What I “got” was a family focused outwardly on service, too busy with doing good to think of themselves; two teenage children that have been filled with harmony and love for others, and for their own family. I have “got” a wife to which I am sealed, and she loves me in a quite inexplicable way. I have “got” a family, four of us at home, and 4 more adult children that I love with all my heart.
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| Clockwise from Top Left: Taylor, Jordan, Theron, Jay, Kristy, and Hannah |
So back to my original question; “What could I have done better?” My answer is sort of swallowed up in gratitude for an amazing family. While I could certainly have done some things better, let me just answer for now that I am pleased with what has happened so far, and I’m looking forward to a great 2017.
