This week I’m featured on Lena Nelson Dooley’s blog (http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/2011/12/ashes-to-beauty-kim-zweygardt-free-book.html) and in the interview she asked about the quirkiest thing I’ve ever done. Fortunately, (or maybe unfortunately, I’m not so sure) I had many experiences to choose from. But since it is Christmas and since sometimes I’m way too serious on this blog, I thought I would share the funny story here that I shared with her readers.
Every family probably has them–stories that live in family infamy. The stories that you know will be told around the campfire, at the Thanksgiving table, at the drop of a hat. We have more than our share–we’re kind of a funny family–and often, they are about me! I’ve often said, I’m just fodder for the family sense of humor! So here it is. One of our family favorites….The Night Mom Killed Mary.
When the kids were small, we would go look at Christmas lights. We’d load up in the van with a thermos of hot chocolate and drive around the different areas of town and ooh and ahh at the gorgeous displays. We were in a very nice subdivision and drove by a house that had many beautiful lights including a lighted nativity scene, but something had gone terribly awry! Mary had fallen over and was lying on her side in the grass. (It gets windy in Kansas!) I yelled “Stop!” to Kary and hopped out to sneak across the grass to help Mary out of her distress. The first problem was that the house had a post and rail fence across the front which I hadn’t noticed. The only way into the front yard was from the front porch. Not to be deterred, I tiptoed up the driveway, across the porch and into the yard. I really did have second thoughts at this point since the people were obviously home, but I was on a mission of mercy! And my kids and husband were watching my good deed. I’d almost gotten to Mary when I tripped over an extension cord in the grass and every Christmas light on the house and in the yard went dark, including poor Mary! I turned and ran! I jumped the fence and grabbed the van door (which was already rolling) and climbed in yelling, “Go! Go!” (I really think they were going to leave me!) Kary had tears rolling down his face from laughing and the kids were sunk down in their seats trying to be invisible. It has been known forever since as the night Mom killed Mary!
There you have it. True story and even I have to admit it is funny! But I do want to add this….Kary has always said he is sure that we were touring Christmas lights on the night of judging for the best Christmas lights contest and that the poor family thought they were going to win that night, but instead their house stood dark for some unknown reason.
Now you know. If that’s you, please accept my sincerest apologies for your loss.
Have a wonderful Christmas, everyone. Remember Immanuel–God With Us. The Miracle of Christmas is not lost among the lights and glitter. His light shines the brightest in dark times and in the hearts of those who are looking for Him this Christmas. (And if your “good deed” doesn’t turn out the way you meant it to, remember that He looks on our hearts and loves us anyway!)
Blessings,
Kim
