Day 2127 Success

 

As if in a flash, Christmas arrived. Christmas Eve was every bit as magical as I had imagined. Surrounded by family, a delicious dinner, a super-fun Swamp Yankee swap, followed by games and an evening of good old-fashioned family fun, it was everything I love about the holiday all wrapped up in a day. 

I especially enjoyed having my oldest grandkids now being part of the swap rather than get kid gifts. I’m not sure exactly when that crossover happens, but it sneaks up on you just like the holiday itself. It’s always fun to see what people throw into a swap with a $25 limit, it never fails to provide lots of laughs. Of course, there was a bit of stealing and some after-swap trading, but I’d say almost everyone left with something they liked. I swapped my gift for an AirTag… still not sure what I’ll need to track, but I’m sure it will come in handy at some point. I’d suggest Tim use it to track his phone, but I’m guessing you’d need your phone to use the tracker? If Peps were still alive, it would have been fun to track her, Lord knows she loved to roam farther than we were ever comfortable with.

Missy and Rick came by later in the evening. She and I have spent Christmas Eves together since we were little kids, so why break tradition now? 

Once everyone left, I realized I had forgotten to bring out a gift I’d picked up at a thrift store weeks ago. My son had visited Iceland and the Faroe Islands and loves those scratchy wool, handmade sweaters. He told me that while he was in a small shop trying on endless sweaters, the women who made them said, “You don’t pick the sweater—the sweater picks you.” Since they’re all handmade, they vary so much it’s impossible to assign a size. You just try them all on until you find one that fits, and if you do, be prepared to pay anywhere from $400–$800. Yikes.

Well, wouldn’t you know it....I found one of these sweaters while thrifting a few weeks back, handmade in Iceland. Of course, I had to buy it, figuring it might fit someone in the family. Fingers crossed, it was worth the $15 to take a chance. Imagine our surprise when my son tried it on and it looked as if it had been made just for him....a perfect fit! None of us could believe it. In the Faroe Islands, he had tried on dozens before finding one that worked, and here we were with instant success. The sweater is beautiful, and I’m pleased as punch that I took the chance on it. I didn’t even have to travel to Iceland to find it....it came to me.

I went to bed leaving a counter full of dirty dishes, so my Christmas morning work is already set for me. But even dirty dishes can’t dampen the magic of the holiday.. and the thrill of a perfect thrift store miracle.

“What is meant for you will always find its way to you.” — Unknown