Just last week I came across this photo that was taken last year on Christmas morning.

LB and I were posing for a selfie.

Stuart and Grandpa are in the background [in the kitchen].  Stuart is likely doing the dishes, and Grandpa is probably bringing his breakfast dish to place in the sink.

Who knew that it would be our last Christmas here with Grandpa?

This year on Christmas morning I thought about him not being with us for the first time.  I miss him and his quiet and gentle spirit.  It is comforting to know that he is with Jesus now.

Recently Mama received  a gift from Grandpa.  On Christmas morning she chose to share this with us.  I would describe this as a selfless, magnanimous, and gracious gift on her part, but the manner in which she presented it could only be described as an adventure.

She stood from her chair and handed over a piece of paper containing a clue

and the Christmas Morning Treasure Hunt was on!

Clue #1

led us to Mama’s blue and white porcelain collection in her entertainment center.

Hidden inside of a little blue and white pitcher was

Clue #2

which led us to a kitchen drawer.

Under the silverware tray was

Clue #3

which directed us to a clock in which was found our next clue…

Clue #4

leading us to a decorative birdhouse.  Inside was found

Clue #5

which was challenging

however we found this one was marking the page for the song Silent Night in the hymnal resting on the piano.

Our next clue turned out to be a private joke between Mama, Kyle, and Clay.  Apparently Kyle has often been guilty of repositioning one of Mama’s knickknacks

Clue #6

Clue #6 led us to an acrylic letter “M” on a table in the living room.

The “M” was commonly turned upside down becoming a “W”

Clue #7

led us right back to the room where we began, bringing an end to our treasure hunt.  on an end table, under Mama’s cell phone was her treasure: a stack of Benjamins…

enough for each of us to have two which she proceeded to pass out

She explained that Grandpa had left it for her and she thought it only fitting to share with us on Christmas Day.

Although there are MANY happy thoughts and memories that I have of this Christmas season, this was a particular event from Christmas morning that I hope to always remember!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.