Because Mitch’s parents winter in Florida, the Tuinstra family gathers together the Saturday after Thanksgiving to celebrate an early Christmas. The advantage about celebrating early is that everyone is able to attend without the other conflicts. Somehow all forty plus people manage to find room in the Shelbyville home. Nobody leaves hungry!
Surprisingly, I felt my eyes fill with tears at various moments. I feel a sense of sadness that my in-laws are leaving for Florida soon. Why? I never felt this way in other years. I kept thinking about my mother and how she will not be celebrating Christmas with us. I also experienced it while talking with my brother-in-law as he reminded me that God is in control our lives as we conversed about the way this year has unfolded.
I know that December will be filled with all types of these memories as the journey continues.
Mitch and his three siblings 
This is Jackson, the newest great-grandchild 
A Journey Worth Remembering 