Can you remember what it was like before cell phones, computers, internet, and texting? I know some of you reading can’t, but I can. There’s one vivid memory I have.
It was Christmas. My first Christmas as a wife, a military wife at that. My first Christmas in a foreign country and my first Christmas not to be at home. Although it was all so new and exciting, my heart ached and my soul cried “there’s no place like home for the holidays.”
Subscribers click here to watch the video. Seriously you have to click and watch. This is the most amazing video! Applause to T-Mobile for this creative video surprising mall-goers at the Chicagoland area Woodfield Mall.
My first Christmas away from home was 30 years ago and way before the techno age. We woke up early that morning. It was freezing cold in Germany and I was disappointed it wasn’t a white Christmas. This would be a special Christmas as it was our first as a married couple, but it wasn’t the same not being home. We eventually dressed and headed to a friends to place our call home. The phone lines were busy most of the day.
It was $3 a minute to phone Texas from Germany. Finally late in the afternoon, our call went through and then it was the waiting game waiting for the operator to call back with a connection. After hours of waiting, the awaited long distance call finally came.
It was mom and dad’s voice. The tears began to flow, but I tried to keep a happy tone in my voice as I told them about our day. We just got deep into conversation when the phone went silent. We had been disconnected. Oh. how. the tears poured then.
We never got reconnected that day. It was the most bittersweet Christmas I had had because there truly is no place like home for the holidays. If you’ve ever been away from family and friends at Christmas, you know. That reminds me, I’d love to hear your story about being away at Christmas.
I am so thankful for my cell phone, the internet, and all the technology we have. It makes days like Christmas so much easier to connect with loved ones if we can’t be home for Christmas.
For the holidays you can’t beat home. sweet. home!
This post is sponsored by T-Mobile.
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Very fun video — I can't imagine being in a place where that happens. Crazy!
And your story was beautiful — thank you for sharing and linking up.
Rachel
I love the video! Amazing story! How hard it is to be away from home and family for the holidays! Hope this year is Merry and Bright!
Heather
it is wonderful to be home, really home. but, there is something very special about the day in which we live that allows us to stay connected with family even when we are hundreds, thousands of miles apart.
I like that video…neat. I felt for you with a first Christmas in Germany.
I remember those days of no communication much
I remember all the years of worrying that our car wouldn't make it through the winter weather for Christmas. I've never spent Christmas away from home before, but I have spent Hogmanay miles from family and that's tough when you can't get through to family (especially my little sister who celebrates her birthday on January 1st) at Midnight.
Alene,
I enjoyed the video but even more, your heart of sharing. There is nothing like being home for Christmas. I too am thankful for the technology to connect with the family I can't see this Christmas!
Love and Christmas blessings to you and your family!
Lisa