chichiguita's Journal

Grace gave us an unexpected gift today in the form of a power outage. 

We had roast beef and mashed potatoes and some other wonderful things to eat (as if that wasn’t gift enough). On a whim, we had decided to use Miss Katherine’s china and everyone’s plate was full when the lights went out. 

We finished our feast by candlelight, expecting at any minute that the lights would come back on--alas, it was not to be. 

And therein lies the grace…

Son had been itching to start a fire since we moved in and the howling wind outside (which knocked out the power) was strong and cold.  We each took an armload of the wood we had stacked weeks ago up to the living room fireplace and Don and Son commenced the manhood ritual. 

Don had made hot chocolate (real—“knock ya’ nekkid hot chocolate”—not the nestle crap) yesterday—so Katherine and I warmed it up and put it in cups with marshmallows. 

Son was so happy—he said at one point “I think I might just cry, this is so cool!”  When the fire was lit and the cups distributed we sat together and talked a while.  We talked about Christmas and how tall the tree should be, and we played 10 fingers and laughed at the exaggerations.  We listened to Son read from the “The Kids Bathroom Book of Trivia”, and then I read from CS Lewis’ “Chronicles of Narnia”.  Son kept saying “Can we do this tomorrow night too?”  I know it blessed D and K to see Son (me too) so enthralled.  Don said, “You make everything a new thing, it is just a pleasure to see you so happy about this.”

It was a pleasure.

We were living in the moment and celebrating simple joy. 

So it was time to go to bed and Don helped us start a fire in this fireplace (down stairs in our family room) too.  It is a roaring beauty and will be warm for hours.  I’ve stripped down to a tank and shorts now and I’m just basking in the sweet serendipity of it all. 

How can I possibly be this blessed?  

Blessed=Undeserved favor…

…Yep, you’ve got that right. 

What a God. 

What a lucky little soul. 

What a lovely fire to fall asleep by. 

What a gift Grace offers—even in dark places.