Double Time.

“Keep grinding boy, your life can change in one year. And even when it's dark out, the sun is shining somewhere.” -Cole

I am writing this at 10:30 on Christmas morning. At work. I wish that I could be home with the family, but I'll be back with them in a few hours. Bun's face is glued to her new ipad anyway. Al and I will celebrate tonight...

I'm so blessed. Since I had to be at work at 8, I woke the girls up at 6 to celebrate early and open our presents. Bun JUMPED out of bed. I didn't have to tell her twice. Al was moving a little slower, but she joined us.

This was my first time being on this end of Christmas. Seeing how Happy Bun was opening her gifts made me understand what my parents felt about 20 years ago. I can't even explain how good it felt. My parents made sure that we knew the true meaning of Christmas. (Cues Jesus is the Reason for the Season). They also did whatever it took to make sure that we had a great Christmas, and we knew better than to ask for too much, so we were always happy.

This time last year, I was away from the girls. I was back in Kansas City. My Mom was just starting her second bout with cancer and I was praying and believing that it wouldn't be her last Christmas with us. Al and I were in a not so great place. I was out of work, and didn't feel productive at all. I was down. but for damn sure wasn't out. I knew that I had to stay positive, keep my faith, and understand that what was going to be, would be.

Fast forward a year later, I'm back in the DMV. Spent my first Christmas morning with the girls. I just got off the phone with Mom, she's still pushing strong. She's not going anywhere anytime soon.

Whenever I tell someone that I'm working on Christmas, they say something along the lines of, "Damn, that ain't right." But I'm happy to be here. I prayed too hard for a job that I enjoy, to complain when I've got to work. I've gotta do what I've gotta do. And I had to get this holiday pay. If Bun was waiting on Santa to bring her gifts, she would've came up short. I can't have that, so I'm here. Hardly working. Listening to Mary Did You Know on repeat. God is good.