New Year's Eve began this year with fog, rain, and a chilly wind. To be perfectly honest, it mirrored my mood almost exactly. My parents, brother and sister were packing and preparing to return home. We won't get to see them for several months since they live thousands of miles away, so it's always very hard to say goodbye. This time was even more difficult since both babies were aware that something was up. They wandered through the hotel room, looking at suitcases and trunks, paying close attention to the hurried movements of everyone as they packed the last few things, sorted the last bits of paperwork, and walked once more through the room to look for forgotten items.
I was also frustrated that our remaining time with them was consistently interrupted by phone calls from the pharmacy and doctor's office as they tried to straighten out an insurance error for Justin's prescription. He has battled a runny nose for nearly a month, so the pediatrician prescribed a generic antibiotic and a nasal spray, for which the pharmacy tried to charge us $205. My head began to pound and I just wanted to end the day and start the new year.
We said goodbye to everyone and headed home, with tears running down my face as I fielded questions from Norah and Justin regarding the whereabouts of Papa, Grandma, Matthew and Lyssa. Both Norah and Justin repeatedly asked to see them and simply didn't understand my answer "They have to go on a plane to go home". When we got home, the babies laid down for a nap, and I unsuccessfully tried to do the same, but found sleep elusive. I was still upset over the unresolved prescription issue, my headache was increasing in intensity, and before I knew it the time had come to pick Jeff up at the station.
Upon arrival at the station, we decided that we would head directly to the pharmacy and deal with it together. I had not anticipated bringing the babies inside, so they were without shoes or jackets. We made due and wrapped blankets around the babies, broke out the umbrellas, and raced into the store. We were all red faced from the cold and I'm sure we were quite a sight as we entered the pharmacy area of the grocery store. Fortunately, we discovered very quickly that they had put Justin's information under my insurance instead of Jeff's. The price was adjusted to $20 and we set out to find the ingredients for dinner.
It was sprinkling again as we left the grocery store, and the temperature had dropped significantly since the sun had set. With bags in hand and babies bundled in our arms, we raced to the car. The kids were breathless with laughter and asked for more.
That's when it struck me:
This year was filled with moments both beautiful and sad, mundane and extraordinary, quiet and loud, unremarkable and completely amazing. But mostly it's been filled with moments just like this. Little moments that are not great milestones, in fact, they are so simple they could be insignificant or forgettable. However, it's moments like this one, running through the rain and laughing together as a family that make us step back and realize how much God has blessed us.
Our wish for you and yours during the new year is that you enjoy many journeys like running through the rain, with breathless laughter, and that your destination be the warmth and comfort of loved ones.
Happy New Year.
With Love,
Jeff, Heather, Norah and Justin
I was also frustrated that our remaining time with them was consistently interrupted by phone calls from the pharmacy and doctor's office as they tried to straighten out an insurance error for Justin's prescription. He has battled a runny nose for nearly a month, so the pediatrician prescribed a generic antibiotic and a nasal spray, for which the pharmacy tried to charge us $205. My head began to pound and I just wanted to end the day and start the new year.
We said goodbye to everyone and headed home, with tears running down my face as I fielded questions from Norah and Justin regarding the whereabouts of Papa, Grandma, Matthew and Lyssa. Both Norah and Justin repeatedly asked to see them and simply didn't understand my answer "They have to go on a plane to go home". When we got home, the babies laid down for a nap, and I unsuccessfully tried to do the same, but found sleep elusive. I was still upset over the unresolved prescription issue, my headache was increasing in intensity, and before I knew it the time had come to pick Jeff up at the station.
Upon arrival at the station, we decided that we would head directly to the pharmacy and deal with it together. I had not anticipated bringing the babies inside, so they were without shoes or jackets. We made due and wrapped blankets around the babies, broke out the umbrellas, and raced into the store. We were all red faced from the cold and I'm sure we were quite a sight as we entered the pharmacy area of the grocery store. Fortunately, we discovered very quickly that they had put Justin's information under my insurance instead of Jeff's. The price was adjusted to $20 and we set out to find the ingredients for dinner.
It was sprinkling again as we left the grocery store, and the temperature had dropped significantly since the sun had set. With bags in hand and babies bundled in our arms, we raced to the car. The kids were breathless with laughter and asked for more.
That's when it struck me:
This year was filled with moments both beautiful and sad, mundane and extraordinary, quiet and loud, unremarkable and completely amazing. But mostly it's been filled with moments just like this. Little moments that are not great milestones, in fact, they are so simple they could be insignificant or forgettable. However, it's moments like this one, running through the rain and laughing together as a family that make us step back and realize how much God has blessed us.
Our wish for you and yours during the new year is that you enjoy many journeys like running through the rain, with breathless laughter, and that your destination be the warmth and comfort of loved ones.
Happy New Year.
With Love,
Jeff, Heather, Norah and Justin
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