How I spent Christmas Eve

I was helping grandson Luke and granddaughter Michelle move their mother Anne (my daughter-in-love and personal trainer) from one apartment to another in the same complex. For most of four hours, I was packing boxes, carrying them to the garage for pickup, and transporting furniture in my car. All the while, of course, we were talking and laughing.

When I arrived at Anne’s apartment, Luke was taping boxes.

Michelle was packing up everything in the kitchen.

By the time they had made two trips through the parking lot to the new apartment with Michelle’s car (Saturn sedan) packed solidly with boxes and Luke had trucked some furniture there using a dolly, I realized that my car  might be useful.

It was amazing how much furniture they could get into it.

After Luke worked this chest of drawers toward the front seat, the rear door actually closed. If you look closely, you can glimpse the large hope chest next to the chest of drawers. Here are Michelle and Luke taking the chest of drawers up to the new apartment.

I drew the line at carrying heavy boxes and furniture up those stairs. Luke brought all the boxes up the stairs and Michelle and I carried them inside.

Now here comes the large hope chest, out of my car,

and up the stairs.

Lunch for the crew was delivered while we were returning to Anne’s “old” apartment.

Michelle copping an extra slice.

I think Luke may have eaten more than a whole pizza by himself.

After which, I asked if he would lift me.

Besides being a serious scholar at Reed College, Luke is a serious weight-lifter. He can dead-lift 500 pounds (meaning lifting weights off the floor from a standing position). I weigh 110, nothing for him. After a couple more lifts, while Michelle tried to get the perfect shot, he effortlessly held me aloft once more.

They loaded up my car with more furniture and this time the hatch door had to stay open. After they got that stuff into the new apartment, I took my leave. It was so much fun, being useful, working along with them. When I offered to help, I hadn’t thought that my car would be useful, too.

I could not have had a more enjoyable Christmas Eve. What a joyous day!

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