Being together for the holidays is a tradition that many families take for granted.  For others that have family members away in the service or at distant job locations, it can be a very different experience.  One Fannin County family will be enjoying their first Christmas together in four years and they plan to make the most of every second.

Talk about a change of scenery.  Last Christmas David Russell was in 163 feet of water, surrounded by co-workers and watching the sun go down from their oilrig off the coast of Mexico.  This year he is looking out his window in northern Fannin County at a few inches of crisp snow and hoping it doesn’t knock Santa off schedule.

All the men that have grumbled and mumbled to themselves (and anyone close enough to have to listen) about long and boring holiday shopping trips might learn something from a man that isn’t always around to enjoy his family at this special time of year.   David’s wife, Lisa, says her hubby always enjoys taking the kids for a day of shopping.  Christmas Eve is a special night the family always spends with Lisa’s mother in Sherman.  And then it is back to Ivanhoe with their three children to wait for Santa and no doubt seven-year-old Dalton will have trouble sleeping.  But this will also be a special time for 17-year-old Mendy and 20-year-old Ross.

“It is sad when holidays come and David is out on the rig,” Lisa admits, “but Christmas is about being together as a family and we can have Christmas anytime as long as we are together.  As a family, we will not ever have Christmas without him home.”

David is the rig manager on the Sam Noble and even though every attempt is made to celebrate the occasion when your crew is on the oilrig, it just isn’t the same when you are 60 miles offshore and 900 miles from home.  The company prepares a true feast on Christmas Eve with a roasted pig complete with the apple in its mouth, all the trimmings and plenty of decorations.  Crews working 28 consecutive days together learn to help each other through tough times like extended family, but still it isn’t like watching your son run to the Christmas tree to see what surprise is waiting.  

“Operations cease for a while,” David explains, “and then its back to normal.  No matter how hard you try…you can’t replace being home for the holidays, but we make the best of it.  It is a hard way of life, but a good way, too.  I get a lot more quality time at home with my family than anyone who works five or six days a week at a regular job.” 

This particular rig is located in the Bay of Campeche and commuting for David involves getting dropped off at DFW and taking a 3 ½ hour flight to Mexico City.  Then comes the one-hour flight to Cuidad Del Carmen and finally a 45-minute boat ride brings the crew out to the rig.  There are no holidays off or vacation time, just 28-days on, 28-days off all year long.

And what does Lisa say when asked how she endures the days the couple must spend apart? 

“I tell them that I see David more than they see their husbands working six or seven days a week,” Lisa answers.  “When David is home, we spend every day, all day, together.  We are best friends.”