New Tradition

I think we have started a new tradition in our family for Christmas day. A teacher at my kids school organizes a day for some recruits from a near by military base. His son was a solider and was killed in Afghanistan about 3 years ago, leaving behind a wife and daughter. Last year was the first year he had the event. We didn't know about it until afterward. This year we decided that we would spend our Christmas there serving them. It was the BEST thing our family could ever have done. It was an amazing day. We got there early and started working in the kitchen making the food. Then when we got word they were almost here we all lined the halls of the school to welcome them. There was a ton of people there, my guess is about 300, could of been more?! As they walked down the hall people clapped and told them Merry Christmas! Several of them were so moved they were crying. They had some food and then were able to talk on the phone or skype with their families. People let them use their cell phones...Jeff came home with several different locations called from his phone! There was also an arcade area for them to relax and play. It was so neat to see my kids serving along side of us. And they really did work. On our way home we heard, "That was so fun!" "Can we do that again?" Here is the best part, in my opinion. When we got up this morning we only opened our stockings. All the presents stayed under the tree until we got home AFTER serving. It was a very great Christmas.