Measure Twice, Cut Once

Christmas Eve is over, our traditions have passed.  We had a blessed evening full of fun and traditions.  None of them are easy when you've lost a loved one.  But life goes along and so must we.  Every effort was made to make this a joyous celebration of family and love.



When we sat down to dinner ... an odd thing happened.  The lamp in the living room kept blinking off and on a few times during the meal.  Because dark comes so early, the lamp had been lit for several hours without any kind of blinking.  It only blinked as we were sitting down to eat, just after we said grace.  I know it was Dad, telling us he's with us in spirit.

Church was the usual service - Lutherans don't like much to change in that regard!  We shared a service with another local Lutheran church, and we sang Christmas hymns joyously.  The best part of a Christmas Eve service is lighting a candle.  Every person in the church holds a lit candle, the lights are turned off and there we stand singing Silent Night by candlelight.  It's a beautiful sight.  And something I have enjoyed for years and years, probably my favorite tradition of all.

I'm sure my mother was missing my father in a really big way.  And it doesn't matter how much you tell yourself he's in a better place, free of pain, we still missed his presence.

"Measure twice, cut once."

That's what he would tell us.  And even if you're not in the middle of a project, it's good advice.  Double check your accuracy, your facts, before you make a decision.  And most times, that's exactly what I did, and still do.

Thank you, Dad, for being such a great example to all of us!
I love you!