I’ve had a wonderful Christmas with June. I spent time in The Woodlands before I met up with her in Nacogdoches for her family’s Christmas Eve gathering. We got back in time to attend a megachurch Christmas Eve service (as has become my family’s tongue-in-cheek rote). I forgot to mention the joy of June and I’s gift exchange. I gave June her camera and accessories, and it was so exciting to watch her unwrap the accessories one by one before I let her open the camera. I, for my part, received a very handsome watch, shirt, knit tie, some fine tobacco, and a magic trick. 

Christmas with June’s family was a delight as I got to see her younger cousins and particularly June’s very little sister. On Christmas day, we went to the hospital to visit my grandmother who has been there for around two weeks since she had a stroke. All of my mom’s family gathered into the warm hospital room for a breakfast (which June and I found altogether unappetizing on account of hospital germs) and then we all made an exit as my grandmother drifted into sleep. That evening, my family had dinner at the Goose’s Acre after a Christmas Day visit to the movie theater for Marley & Me. The movie was surprisingly sad and complex–not exactly the Christmas + dog + Owen Wilson + post-nude-ish Jennifer Aniston = funny sort of formula I expected from the trailer I saw.

Day after Christmas there was some shopping wherein June and I bought deeply discounted ornaments at Macy’s. June picked up some clothes at Banana Republic while I surreptitiously purchased here an Owl brooch. We ran into our friends, the Carlyles, who were finishing up at the Oil & Vinegar store.

Beyond that, here we are few days later. My family has played serious games of Chickenfoot. June, my sister and I went to look at Christmas lights. We went to a new upscale grocery store called Hubbell & Hudson in the Market Street area of The Woodlands. My sister, June and I made very nice dinners from groceries purchased both at Hubbell & Hudson and HEB Central Market. My sister made an inquiry as to dog food at Hubbell & Hudson, which was treated quite seriously by a staff member who said he would “work on completing the experience.”

Yesterday, church was actually quite good. My pastor did an excellent job of handling the surety of salvation question. He made it very simple and reassuring, which I know is quite difficult to do as someone who has grappled with the question both theologically and emotionally.

Chickenfoot and good dinners pretty much sums it all up. June and I have our work cut out for us. I still need to finish this article (which I’ll describe later). Let’s hope I have access to a Bluebook, else I have to use the online version.