The White House

The White House

Friday, December 24, 2010

A Christmas Eve Story

Our lives are full and busy here at The White House.  Shopping is reserved for Christmas Eve.  I try to look at the bright side.  Our options are completely limited by empty shelves therefore without options there is no decision turmoil. This brings you to my Christmas Eve Story....

I wound my way through frantic shoppers, their noise but a small hum in my ears, to the aisle of books.  Specifically, books written about Alaska.  My dear husband loves to read in his fleeting moment of free time and I wanted to find something of interest from our home.  My eyes fell upon "Eighteen Wheels: North to Alaska".  Perfect.  He is a jack of all trades as I have mentioned before, and he has some trucking stories of his own to tell.  My hands caressed the cover and the feel of the new pages brought excitement.  I wondered if there would be a story of someone I'd heard of.  I flipped through the pages until I landed in the appendix of old time truckers.  There, nestled near the end, was his name.  I felt it before I knew that it would be there.  Bill Simmons.  A great man who trucked from Great Falls, Montana to The Last Frontier of Alaska way back before anyone should.  He was my dad.

In that moment of knowing, surprise, pride and then sadness the tears flowed.  In the middle of the hustle of shoppers and the chaos Christmas can bring, I stood, alone, in an aisle of Alaskan books softly crying for a man I miss so dearly.

My dad passed away at 3:15am Christmas morning of 1993.  There is not a day - nor a Christmas - that I don't miss him with every bit of my heart.  Dad, thank you for finding me in the sea of shoppers to let me know you are still here with me.

I love you.

16 comments:

Gail said...

I would say your dad was telling you Merry Christmas...make it so.

Momma Morgan said...

I got chill bumps all over when I read this... Merry Christmas to you and your family. I hope its a great one!!!

stace41971 said...

Merry Christmas Gayle. What a beautiful post...it made me tear up this morning. ((HUGS))

gpc said...

What a beautiful story. I hope you and your family have a Christmas filled with love and peace.

Lori Skoog said...

Gayle...you were led to that book. What an amazing story. Hope your are all have a great day up there.

Thank you for keeping up with my Journal...I don't think anyone else has left more comments (and I have sure learned a lot about you and your family...not to mention Alaska).

I sincerely hope the new year is nothing but the best ever...for you and your family.

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Oh Gayle ~ What a wonderful post that has tears filling my eyes and spilling over. That is so fantastic. A blessing from God this Christmas to you from Him.

Enjoy and I'm sure your DH will enjoy it also.

Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

Martha said...

What an amazing moment for you to find your father immortalized in the pages of the book!
I too miss my father every day, but particularly on Christmas, as he took ill, and passed away during Christmas week in 1986, seems like just last year sometimes!

Merry Christmas.

RottenMom said...

I have chills. It's for certain a sign Gayle. God Bless you and your wonderful family. Merry Christmas.

Kim@Snug Harbor said...

Oh my Gosh! You just gave me chills! Your Dad was definately reaching out to you. I think 2011 is going to be a better year for you. I think he just gave you a much needed hug. Merry Christmas Gayle!

Patty said...

Now I'm crying!! Love that this happened to you-definite sign from above! Merry Christmas Gayle and merry Christmas to your Dad also!

Tara said...

This gave me goosebumps just now. Merry Christmas, Gayle. Praying your weekend was AMAZING!

Queen-Size funny bone said...

what a wonderful story it made me cry too.

Martha said...

What a wonderful moment for you.

My Grandfather passed away on Christmas Eve when I was 15 years old. I adored my Grandfather.

It was very hard but I love that every Christmas Eve the memories of him flood back and he feels that much closer.

anymommy said...

Merry belated Christmas, Gayle. This is chill causing and beautiful and sad. I'm sorry your dad is gone, but I'm glad he touched you through this book.

thecrazysheeplady said...

This is a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing. I know it was hard.

I hope you have a much better New Year!

Corey~living and loving said...

I know I'm late....but hugs non the less. ♥