Christmas Present

This Christmas I am waiting for grandchildren to come home
from Texas. They have had a traumatic year.
As school ended here in Utah, the family
decided to move by the next school year.
Promises made to return for Christmas.
Summer was spent in packing and playing
with cousins and friends.
With plans made and boxes piling up,
their other Grandma was diagnosed with cancer.
She insisted no plans be cancelled,
but what an added stress as doctors found brain tumors
and other signs of advanced cancer.
My family moved in time to start school in Texas.
Their Grandma died the next month.
so loaded themselves and three dogs
and came home for a unique and large funeral
for the mayor of Panguitch
complete with a motorcycle calvacade.
Having moved to a house in Texas, they
soon planned to move into another house
which they cleaned, fixed up, and painted.
I don't know if that job is complete or if
they are still half in, half out.
But it is time to keep promises of coming
'home' for Christmas, so with three dogs
and three kids the trip is planned and
will be made.
I am the grandma they left behind
having tended all three up until school,
filling in sick days and vacations.
So they are greatly missed.
I am looking forward to
Christmas Present
to see their loved faces
once again.