I had every intention of making the Christmas of 2012 the best Christmas EVER. I started shopping early, and I worked hard to create unique gifts whenever possible. I did not sacrifice life and limb at the crazy sales in the stores. I found almost everything online, remained unharmed, and I got free shipping on almost everything. Perfect.
I helped Madison pick out her Christmas piano music months ahead of time this year, so she would have plenty of time to master her songs without the added stress and stage fright that comes from trying to learn them in a hurry. She played Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! and Deck the Halls for the programs at school and church. She was not a bit nervous. Perfect.
I wanted to have everything under the tree and wrapped up with a pretty little bow well in advance, but it was in this step that I went wrong. I put off wrapping gifts longer than I should have...and then when those appointed times I planned on using for wrapping rolled around, things came up. After my frantic Christmas Eve wrapping marathon, when I finally got everything crossed off of my to-do list and let my head hit the pillow, the numbers on my bedside clock were burning an angry 2 am. I was beginning to think I had failed miserably at this whole best Christmas thing.
But then Christmas morning happened. My favorite little people surrounded us with bright eyes and wild hair and the tiniest dose of their excitement eliminated my doubts and melted my heart. We spent lots of time with our family on both sides and had all kinds of fun. I started thinking about people who do not get to spend Christmas with their families. Maybe they are estranged, or maybe the travel is too expensive or too far. Sometimes a family has a loved one in the hospital, prison, or deployed in the military. A hole where that person should be would be an elephant in the room for that family over the holidays, whatever the circumstance. When I think about it, I have spent every single Christmas of my entire life with these guys--without exception.
It does not seem like it has been that long since I was the one with the wild hair, snooping for my name under the tree. Or the girl meeting her boyfriend's family over the holidays. How strange that I am the mom with the strong cup of coffee on Christmas morning savoring the moment...and the caffeine. I am the aunt trying to figure out the styles that my nieces and nephews are excited about this year, or getting to know the nephew's girlfriend.
When I remember the Christmas of 2012, I want to remember getting to see my entire family. I loved, laughed, hugged, kissed, ate, drank, and was as merry as I have ever been. I got to experience many beautiful moments that deserve to be recorded.
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| Example of my confusion about what they think is cool.... |
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| The Girlfriend |
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| Sister Love |
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| Mugshots |
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| Couch Pileup Photo Shoots |
So I was up late wrapping gifts. My sister was up before dawn making dishes to take to dinners. Whether we are ready ahead of time or sliding in at the last minute, the holidays are going to happen, and love will be shared. When it comes down to it, time with family is exquisite. I think every year I savor the time a little more. When I add this Christmas to all of the others, and the list of happy times continues to grow, it really does make this Christmas the best Christmas EVER. To quote one of my favorite signs on my wall, "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all."
So I was up late wrapping gifts. My sister was up before dawn making dishes to take to dinners. Whether we are ready ahead of time or sliding in at the last minute, the holidays are going to happen, and love will be shared. When it comes down to it, time with family is exquisite. I think every year I savor the time a little more. When I add this Christmas to all of the others, and the list of happy times continues to grow, it really does make this Christmas the best Christmas EVER. To quote one of my favorite signs on my wall, "We may not have it all together, but together we have it all."
