11th Day of Advent, December 12, 2018

“I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas….”

We lived in Flagstaff and the White Mountains for 11 years. There were several times that we had snow on the ground for Christmas but the snow came days before Christmas Eve. I always wanted to experience a White Christmas where it actually snowed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day there but never did.

I did have a White Christmas experience in 1965. My parents and my brother Jimmy and I went to my Mom’s parents’ home for Christmas that year. It was a rough trip – my dad had his own Semi truck and trailer and he had to make a trip during that week. It snowed quite a bit. It even snowed on Christmas Eve! I remember being stuffed with my brother into the back window of the Volkswagen Bug a family member owned and watching the snow starting in Alleghany Oregon. What was so strange is that Alleghany is close to the Pacific Coast (about 15 miles inland from Coos Bay) and elevation is about 20 feet above sea level. So, you know it would have to be pretty cold for it to snow there. I think we woke up on Christmas morning to about 4 inches of snow on the ground there.

Even though it was a very rough trip (getting stuck in the snow in a semi isn’t my idea of fun!), we had a good Christmas spent with extended family. I still have a dream of having a White Christmas here in Arizona. One where I can watch the snow falling and not have to worry about going anywhere. One where I have extended family with me to celebrate our Savior and each other. 

Keep dreaming those dreams! Keep celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, not only this day and this Advent Season, but all days!

Mea Pomaikai (Blessings in Hawaiian)
Barbara Barcus