Kindness for Christmas

We moved in our new home last Saturday. We had many, amazing helpers that made the move go very smoothly. Uncle Don (he's 83) and his friend Russ totally moved our stuff from our 2 garages. If you have ever seen Ken's garages, you know this is no easy task. They used Russ's small pick up truck and must have made 20+ trips. They did it over 2 weeks time, without complaining; unbelievable! Sometimes I would catch up with them at the house and they would be drinking beer! I don't know how they do it. If I would drink a beer before noon, I may as well go to bed! I'm done. After the garages were emptied, they continued to help with all of the other stuff too!
Without my friend Henna, I would still be packing boxes in the condo! First she helped me pack at the condo. She is very organized. As we were packing, she would ask me if I wanted to keep something...if I hesitated at all, she would say, get rid of it. I got rid of so much stuff I do not need. Then we loaded boxes up and took them to the house where she promptly unpacked them. Oh, I forgot to say that the week before we started the packing, she helped me clean the house so it would be ready to put things away. She organized my kitchen and had great tips on where items should be. On Saturday, after everything had been moved and I was ready to collapse, she said we must put some Christmas decorations out. What...are you kidding me? No, she is not kidding. As I found some boxes labeled Christmas, she quickly made the house look festive, warm and beautiful. After all, we were having our annual Christmas gift exchange party at our house that night with her and Larry and Bobbie and Annie! It was planned a long time ago and is an annual event that I refused to cancel. More on that later.
Our other helpers were Larry (Henna's husband), my son Jason, Cole, a young, strong kid Ken works with and Don Raffety. Don calls Ken on Saturday to offer his help. His task was to move our clothes...lucky him! Doesn't everyone hate that job? A month before the move, Ken and I had gone through our closet and donated everything we didn't want anymore. I recommend everyone to do that before a move. Don moved ALL of our clothes (by himself), carrying them down the steps at the condo and hanging them up in our new house. This is such a kind thing to do for someone.
We all took a break for pizza and soda (beer for some!) and then continued until everything was moved. We thanked everyone and had just enough time to shower, make Bobbie's favorite Christmas cookies, make a salad, get the pork tenderloins in a marinade, make a sour cherry sauce for the pork and wrap the presents!
As I was lighting last minute candles, the door bell rings.....it's not time for the party yet??? I open the door and it is Don and Judie Raffety with a house warming gift. Not only does Don give us an entire day moving our clothes, but stops by a few hours later with a gift.
I truly am thankful and overwhelmed at the thoughtfulness of our friends....it's such a great Christmas present.
The party was a success; it's always so fun..very simple. It's just Ken and I, Larry and Henna, Bobbie and Annie. We had appetizers and Pomegranate Martinis, opened our presents and then had dinner at our new dining room table and chairs. The candles were lit and the Christmas music playing; the conversation flowed.....I thought it would be an early evening...we were tired, but it was one of those evenings where everything felt good and right and they didn't leave until 10 PM....which is late for all of us.
Truly a great day...all because of kindness. Merry Christmas!