Eight years ago today, I sat in a chow hall in Kuwait eating Christmas dinner with a bunch of strangers. I did my best not to convey outwardly what I felt inside. The last thing I wanted to do was draw attention to my misery, after all, I don’t think any of us wanted to be there. Still, it was my worst Christmas ever, as I was thousands of miles away from my 6 month old daughter…her first Christmas.

Three years ago today, my husband & I, his sister with her husband & son, and my husband’s stepdad sat in a hospital room and watched my mother-in-law pass away following a massive stroke. That topped my Christmas in Kuwait for worst Christmas.

Today, I think about all the Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airman deployed on this day in the Middle East, Afghanistan, the Balkans, Korea, and elsewhere and my heart goes out to them knowing that many are having their worst Christmas ever today. Their sacrifice helps to keep my family safe, and I am tremendously grateful, and pray for their safety.

My kids think today is the best Christmas ever. That makes it mine, too. 🙂

To everyone I wish Merry Christmas and God bless!