Our week together was wonderful, but it was time to head for home. I scrubbed every surface I could think of to leave the beautiful mountain lodge in good shape so the cleaning crew would have an easy time of it. Our hosts hailed from upstate New York and were attentive to every detail so I definitely wanted to show my appreciation by taking good care of their place.

Our family week flew by and things were quiet now so I took a moment to breathe and reflect on the last several days. It had been a minute since we were all able to spend Christmas together. You know how it is with grown kids and grands, so we decided to celebrate when it was convenient for everyone.

Although we could have had takeout, I cooked a traditional Christmas dinner. Cherrie did all the desserts, and everyone pitched in to help take care of the little details to make the magic happen. In the evening we played dirty Santa, but the gifts were so thoughtful that very little gift snatching went on.

Most of our time was spent just soaking in the love spending time together. We laughed and played mad when we lost at a board game, but every night we were at it again. The views were spectacular, and we all agreed that we should make a week like this one happen every year.

As usual, l was the first person awake, but my daughter, Melinda, was up soon after. One morning I decided to try to watch Joyce Meyer while I enjoyed my coffee. The remote on the television in the great room was unfamiliar, so I was having a little trouble finding it.

Finally, I figured out how to search for the show I wanted and began to punch in the letters. After I had entered J-o-y several things popped up. I saw Joy TV, and immediately thought the joy of the Lord so it must be a Christian television station. When I started to hit it Melinda screamed, “No, Mama!!! That’s porn!!” I think we woke up everyone in the place, but I finally did find my show.

One morning we were all sitting down together to have breakfast. We bowed our heads, and Ryan asked the blessing. When I opened my eyes, I could hardly believe what I saw. I was immediately taken back to a time when my late husband and the kid’s dad was still with us.

“Jan, look at this picture I found. It looks like me in a few years.”

Glen R. had picked up a picture at a yard sale of an old man with a full white beard bowing his head in prayer. I’ve treasured it ever since and always think of Glen R. when I see it.

When my eyes lit on the same picture there, I squealed with delight and showed the kids. We all smiled big at this sweet Godwink.

Jan Penton-Miller is a retired Mississippi School Educator.