Twas the Night Before Christmas…
I just got back from having Christmas dinner with the Costner family (I sure do love my family). As we all began standing around the Christmas tree to get the “kids” picture made, I realized how much things have changed. Some of the things were the same, but a lot about this year’s Christmas was different.
This year, and for the last couple years, we have met at my aunt’s house. It was fun and I like it, but I miss having Christmas at my grandparents. I miss my grandfather who died in 2002. I miss my grandmother (she has Alzheimer’s). She isn’t dead by any means, but I had to re-introduce my wife to her. It was kind of funny at first, but now that I think about it, Alyson will never get to know the grandmother that I knew growing up. I’m proud that she has at least gotten to know her on some level because she will never get to know my grandfather Costner.
He would have loved her. I can picture him kidding around with her and flirting with her. I can still taste that wonderful cornbread that only He could make. I can see all those flannel shirts he used to get every year for Christmas. I can hear him yell my name and ask me what I got for Christmas. If he were alive, he would be knocking on the door about the same time I get up Christmas day morning to see what I got.
I miss my grandfather so much. This year we lit a candle for him and some of the extended family that have died, and then we read the Christmas story. When we got through hearing about the birth of Jesus I couldn’t help but smile at the thought that one day I will see my grandfather again.
And that’s pretty much where the Christmas story begins – God so loved the world that He provided a way for us to experience hope, joy, peace, and eternity together with Him forever through His son Jesus.
I love you grandpa, and I’m glad that one day we will be together again for eternity.
Beautifully written, Matthew. I always miss my grandmother (Granny) at Christmas. So tonight in her honor, I fixed two of her special dishes, scalloped oysters and baked macaroni & cheese. In 1981 Granny put her favorite recipes together in a little cookbook for her six grandchildren. I think Alyson has a later copy that was printed for the great-grandchildren. Thanks for sharing about your grandfather. I wish I could have known him.
I know you miss papa. We all loved Papa Costner in a different way. I knew I was a part of the family when he would say, “Ain’t that right, Pat?” I remember a call I received one day when he was living at Crawley assisted living. He said, “Pat, they are moving me, and I do not know where they are taking me.” I told him, “You tell I said, we like where we are and we are not going anywhere. I will be there in 5 minutes.” He was alright, for he thought I could do anything. If I could, I would have made things alright for him. I was with him to take his last breath, and once again, he was waiting for my response. “I told him we all would be alright, we would take care of Mama. We would stay with him until the end.” It was like he sighed a breath of relief, and he was gone. No he had just finished this journey and entered into an eternity with Christ.
Thank you for sharing this with us. All of my grandparents have passed on, and there are many times I miss them all. But I know I will see them again some day.
My Oma was an incredible lady. After my Opa died, she had to learn how to balance her checkbook for the first time in 70+ years. When she did it successfully the first time, she called just to tell me. The one dream she never got to fulfill, and I hope to do some day in memory of her, is to drive really fast across Montana (at the time they had no speed limit). She wanted to rent a Viper and do this, but never had a chance.
Hope you and Alyson had a wonderful Christmas and honeymoon. Blessing for 2009.