By Reid Forgrave
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Jonathan MacDowell with his sister, Joanna. The Army soldier is back in Ohio on a two-week furlough. (Provided photo)

WINCHESTER - For Bruce and Sherry MacDowell, there's never been a better Christmas surprise than the one who rang their doorbell Thursday.

Most of the MacDowell family - about 15 in all - had gathered in the family room about 12:45 p.m. just before Christmas dinner. And as it often does, the conversation turned to the MacDowells' son, Jonathan, a specialist in the Army's 101st Airborne Division stationed in Iraq since March.

A ringing doorbell interrupted the chatting.

Sherry ran to answer it, and there stood her youngest son - 25 pounds lighter from nine months in the Middle Eastern desert. Jonathan MacDowell, currently stationed with his supply company in Balad, Iraq, flew into Columbus on Christmas Eve on a two-week furlough to surprise his parents.

And he did just that.

"I just screamed and fell onto his neck and cried and thanked God that our prayers are answered," Sherry said after they ate Christmas dinner. "This is just the best Christmas ever."

Then the soldier's son, Tanner, who just turned 2, walked up to him.

"Daddy work?" queried the toddler because he had been told that his dad had been at work for the past nine months.

Tanner immediately recognized his dad.

"You just feel great finally being able to see the people who love you after so much time away," said Jonathan, 22.

Bruce is a Baptist minister and daughter Joanna plays the piano, so the family gathered 'round and sang "A Shelter in the Time of Storm," about Jesus' presence during life's hard times.

All through December, Sherry MacDowell bought presents to send to Iraq. But one of her daughters - in on the Christmas surprise - intercepted the gift shipment.

One sister got him a "Chillow," a pillow that stays cool. She thought it useful for his return to Iraq Jan. 9.

His mother got him an electronic dartboard for his idle time.

But the presents weren't the focus Thursday, Sherry MacDowell said.

"We just want to see him and talk to him and love on him. Christmas wouldn't be the same without each other."

E-mail rforgrave@enquirer.com