Unexpected Gifts and a Holiday Home Tour
Every year for the past several years, I’ve used our holiday home tour to offer a few words of encouragement before settling in to soak up the season and spend time with family.
While coming up with a good story to share hasn’t always been easy, I’m naturally “wordy,” so the process of writing the actual post is usually a simple one.
This year has been an absolute rollercoaster though.
There hasn’t been a single area of our lives from friendships to finances, hurricanes to healthcare scares, to job security, going back to school, evaluating the sustainably of the blog, assessing our current living situation, navigating end of life caregiving roles, setting boundaries and adjusting expectations that haven’t been touched by significant changes.
I know life’s not perfect.
I don’t expect it to be.
I believe there is beauty in brokenness, grace in glimmers and fearlessness in faith.
But I’ve also come to realize that weariness can be an unexpected gift if we choose to see it that way.
For it gives us no choice but to slow down and consider each situation in a different light.
So, as we grieve what’s been lost, appreciate what remains, and let go in order to chart a fresh path, I hope you enjoy this year’s Christmas story.
It’s on loan and is used with permission from my sister and my niece.
I pray I’ll have my own story to celebrate next year.
Truth be told, my niece has been in motion for most of her life.
In fact, I doubt a week has gone by where she hasn’t been dancing, tumbling, singing, surfing, paddle boarding, boating, riding her bike, drawing or painting.
It’s just who she is.
But earlier this year, she had an incident that caused her to slow down completely.
You see, my niece and her friends were enjoying a bounce house at another friend’s birthday party.
And on this particular day, despite being a skilled gynmast and having successfully completed thousands of flips and tumbling passes, the minute she jumped and landed awkwardly, she felt something pop.
After several visits, the doctors determined she would need surgery and lots of physical therapy to fix a torn ACL.
To her credit, my niece took everything in stride.
Her first goal was to get through surgery.
The second was to learn how to navigate high school and life with a cumbersome leg brace and crutches.
As the weeks turned into months, my niece realized she was going to miss an entire season of dance classes and performances, all of her competitive dance team competitions and being on her high school pom squad too.
And it was then we started seeing tiny little cracks form in her usually carefree and sunny personality.
To help lift her spirits and give her something to look forward to, my sister bought my niece concert tickets to see her favorite teen heartthrob.
I know that’s an old school way to phrase his name.
But this is where the story really gets good.
So, to protect his identity and my niece’s experience, I’m going to keep using it for the rest of this story.
On the day of the concert, my other sister and her husband were working out at the gym on their lunch break as they usually do.
They were just about to finish their last rotation when out of the corner of her eye, my sister saw the teen heartthrob my niece was set to see later that night also working out.
Not wanting to miss an opportunity, my sister called our other sister and told her to pick my niece up from school and race to the gym which was on the other side of town as quickly and as safely as possible.
Given the timing would be extraordinarily tight, my sister picked my niece up from school as if it were a regular day.
She just didn’t want to get her hopes up.
But in a modern-day miracle, my sister and niece walked up to the gym just as the teen heartthrob was walking out.
To say she was stunned would be an understatement.
She was so speechless when the teen heartthrob asked my niece her name, she couldn’t answer because she had a gigantic lump in her throat and tears streaming down her face.
Thankfully, my sister was there to help remind her.
According to my niece, the next few minutes were a total blur.
This young and gracious entertainer asked about her injury, and how she was getting along with the leg brace and crutches.
He apologized for being sweaty and asked if she wanted to take a picture with him anyway.
He asked if she was attending the concert.
And when my niece said yes, he said he would make sure she had a good seat.
Before he left, the heartthrob hugged my niece, thanked her for being a fan and promised to see her later that night.
When my sister, niece and one of her girlfriends who also had tickets arrived at the concert, he made good on his promise.
They were all escorted to a special area and my niece was given a comfortable seat so she could rest her leg when needed.
The heartthrob shouted her name out from the stage, dedicated my niece’s favorite song to her and pointed to her throughout the night as fans screamed and cheered.
My sister said it was like something out of a movie.
My niece said it was the best day of her entire life.
She’s still on cloud 9.
As my sister and niece recounted the story, it struck me all at once that even with life’s ups and downs, you truly never know what’s going to happen from one day to the next.
You simply must remain open.
Open to receiving unexpected gifts.
Open to detours, pivots, and things that aren’t planned.
Open to the opportunities others find for you.
Open to the reminders of who you are even when you don’t feel like yourself.
Open to help from friends and family and to the kindness of strangers.
For we all have a light to shine.
Sometimes that light will come directly from the decisions you make.
And other times, it will come from miracles that light your path.
So, this holiday season, I want to gently remind you to stay open to the possibilities that are all around you.
Because you never know what unexpected gift is waiting to be discovered along the way.
With love,
CoCo
CoCo this is an amazing story. Thank you for sharing. Bravo to your niece and I’m sending prayers for recovery. Your home is beautiful as always.
Merry Christmas!
Thank you so much, Cindy. It was definitely a fun and unexpected gift for my niece. She’s such a sweetie pie and has been a champ during this time of rehabilitation and recovery. Hope your holiday season is filled with all of your favorite things, CoCo
Hi CoCo,
Your tree and all the decorations in your home are gorgeous! I love all the touches of gold! I can imagine how pretty it is at night with twinkling lights adding even more sparkle!
I’m so sorry your niece has had a difficult season but so happy she is ending the year on such an exciting note! Sending you a big hug and lots of good wishes, for you and your family, for the holiday and new year!
I really appreciate it, Donna, thank you so much. As you know this has been a season of lots of ups and downs but we’re thankful to have come out on the other side as a closer family. We’re hopeful by the end of this year or the beginning of next she’ll be fully healed and ready to celebrate doing all her favorite things again. Big hugs, CoCo
Thank you for sharing this post and your niece’s story…it is much needed, especially during the holidays. I’m sure you’re thankful for your wonderful caring and tightly knit family as well as the kindness of others. It’s so refreshing to know that people really do put others ahead of themselves and actually follow through on their promises. I’m sure this experience will make an everlasting impression on your sweet niece and inspire her as she continues with her recovery.
Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed holiday season filled with love and laughter.
I appreciate your kind words so much, Carol-Dee, thank you. It was such a neat experience for my niece to go through especially since she was feeling a little low after not being able to do her favorite activities for what’s been almost 5 months now. I know teenagers are not perfect and neither are celebrities but it was heartwarming to see his generosity and it taught us all a big lesson too. Kindness is a gift we can give each other everyday. Sending you lots of hugs and thank yous for being part of this community. I hope you and your family have a blessed holiday season as well, CoCo
Oh my gosh that brought tears to my eyes!! How AMAZING!! I love hearing these stories of people doing GOOD things and that there is GOOD in the world.
Much love to you, my friend. Your Christmas looks beautiful!
It was wild to see how generous he was with his time and effort, Rachel. I don’t know why but sometimes it seems like singers/entertainers don’t really have time for the people that gave them their “star status” but he was the complete opposite. It was definitely a lesson in kindness but also one of not passing judgement on someone either. Two reminders we could all use this holiday season, you know? Sending you lots of hugs and hoping your season has been a blessed one, CoCo
Good Morning CoCo! This is a wonderful post for so many reasons. First, your holiday decor is beautiful! I love the photos you captured. I am so happy for your niece. The events that unfolded with the singer were just what she needed. We all need a boost from the heavens every now and then! Finally, your message of staying open to possibility and while trying to remain in a positive frame of mind resonates with me. Wishing you a wonderful week. Thanks for all the “care” you show your readers.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Anna. I greatly appreciate them. It was so much fun to relive the whole experience and to use our holiday home tour to share the kindess of others. We definitely need reminders like that more often these days. Sending you hugs and hoping your trip is filled with unexpected adventures and beautiful blessings, CoCo
What a fun and beautiful story! If she didn’t have the injury, she may have never met him. Who knows? I have to say that your Christmas decor is stunning!!! Enjoy your Christmas season!
I never thought about it that way, Susan, but you’re right! Her school is a LONG way from the gym my sister goes to so it’s honestly wild to think they even made it while he was still there. But that’s how His love works, you know? It’s always right on time. Sending you hugs, CoCo PS: Not sure if you saw my message already but your turtle cheesecake was a huge hit this weekend, thank you for sharing it
I actually cried when I read this. What a wonderful story and a wonderful blessing to your readers. Thank you! The story and the pictures that went along with it were all truly beautiful!
Merry Christmas!
Such sweet and kind words, Barbara, thank you. She’s truly a delight and has worked hard to enjoy life while sitting on the sidelines as she heals and recovers. I’m glad Christmas came a little early for her this year and I hope your season is richly blessed as well. Hugs, CoCo
What a sweet story about your niece! And what a kind man her heartthrob is; he went above and beyond for her and her group.
Also loved your words about going back thru the year and seeing what to keep and what to let go. It is not selfish to say “no” to some things so that you can enjoy the things that mean the most to you. Sometimes we get so bogged down in having to do things that we forget to enjoy the ride we call life. Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to you and your loved ones!
Speak to my heart, AJ, I couldn’t agree more. Life can get so hectic sometimes, especially this time of year. It’s always wild to me that we put so much pressure on the last 6 weeks of the year when there are 46 other weeks filled with opportunities to live life on our own terms and to make it magical, you know? Sending you so many hugs and wishing you a Merry Christmas and a richly blessed New Year. I’m so thankful you’re a part of this community, CoCo
I got a little weepy eyed on this one CoCo, what a great story to share. I am so glad he made her injury less of a focus, and making her feel good about herself. I am loving all of your Christmas decor, so classy like yourself! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Aww your so sweet, Cara, thank you. It was definitely a very fun and unexpected surprise I don’t think any of us will ever forget. It just goes to show you that you truly never know what’s going to happen from one day to the next so you have to ready and open to any and all possibilties. Sending you hugs for a warm and happy Christmas, CoCo
This story brought tears of joy in this season of miracles! My oldest grandson is graduating from college the 14 so I made a quick plane ride to watch him. He missed his high school festivities during COVID and also experienced feelings of depression. That was such a scary time for all but, we have persevered through that. The East Coast are still recovering and our prayers continue for your family and all the east coast and what a wonderful teen idol he is as well. Quick recovery for your neice and God bless you and watch over you all!
I hope you and your family had safe travels and an amazing time celebrating your grandson, Susan. Graduation is a big deal and I’m excited you were able to be there to support him. Especially, since he missed all the festivities during COVID. Second chances are the best! May 2025 bring you even more special memories and richly blessed adventures together. Big hugs, CoCo
Kindness is the best gift of all. Hopefully your family’s Christmas will be one of hope and happiness.
Hope you and your family had a special Christmas and holiday season as well. It goes by so fast! Big hugs, CoCo
Oh, my gosh, what a story. It brought happy tears to my eyes. What a beautiful reminder to be grateful, even in hard times. Thank you.
PS: Merry Christmas–and a happy and healthy new year–to you and your family.
You are so welcome, Corrie! I hope you and your family had a happy and healthy holiday season as well. May 2025 be everything you need it to be sweet friend. Sending you lots of hugs, love and light, CoCo
This is such an amazing story you shared. It’s also such a great reminder to always remain joyful and filled with expectant hope no matter what happens. I hope you and your whole family have a beautiful and blessed New Year!
Beautiful post and story! Happy New Year!!!