BLACK HAWK — My favorite memories of Christmas started around age three. Pattie and I always had matching outfits. We’d get up in our Christmas jammies and race down the stairs to see what Santa had brought. Katie normally beat us down the stairs and Chris would wake up and wander out.
We’d have delicious cookies and holiday snacks and we’d wait in wild-eyed wonder for grandma and grandpa to arrive. In later years, my aunt and uncle would be there with my cousin Vicky.
The waiting was the hardest part. Then when everyone was there, we’d open presents. My sister Katie was in charge of handing them out and we opened them one at a time, around the room, savoring every moment of that time with those we loved around us, sharing those moments with us.
Our family. My favorite time of year is still Christmas. It’s still filled with family, although less of them. And it’s still filled with cookies and snacks. And it’s filled with memories. And it’s filled with hope, and LOVE.
This holiday season our Christmas is a bit more scattered. I mean, everyone grows up and starts their own traditions. My kids are across the country. A few have married. There are new babies. There are many miles in between us.
And, sadly, we won’t see each other this Christmas. As a mom, I am optimistic for a phone call, in all directions, to and from family. I always say, “the phone goes both ways.” And I am trying to be better about calling to touch base because I miss all their voices.
Anyway, here is a little poem I’ve been working on. It’s really about my own family, but maybe it applies to others', too.
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Family is love
Hanging on with all ya got
Broken and bent
Moving on and starting over
Family is accepting lost love
Rekindling old love
The joy of new love
The twinkle of new hope
Family is parents and grandparents
Aunts and uncles
Sisters and brothers
Kids (so many amazing kids)
Family is loss
Sadness
Grief
Despair
Family is offering forgiveness
Giving grace
Agreeing to respectfully disagree
Moving past the chaos
Family is new memories with new families
Gratitude for extended family
Thank-you cards for old folks like me
Photos so we have those memories
Family, Is.
**
May the blessings of the holiday season bring you light, strength, hope, and love. Merry Christmas!
