Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year! Reflecting on Christmas this year, I am brought to tears remembering all the phases of my Christmas memories.
I can remember going to Granny and Grandpa’s and looking for Santa and Rudolph’s red nose lighting his way. We always arrived at our destination only to realize we had just missed the holiday duo by mere minutes.
Excitedly, we would open presents and discover what Santa had brought us. I remember one year it was so cold the pipes froze and my parents told us that Santa and the reindeer accidentally hit them.
As a child, the magic is amazing and the anticipation seems to last for weeks.
Then, I grew up and had my own children. The delight and magic is still there, just different. The Christmas plays at church, the excitement of helping them write their lists and all the other traditions that came along with them being little. We give our children those things as much as we do physical presents.
I still treasure the “Dear Santa” letters that were in The Blackshear Times many years ago. For those whose children have pictures, letters or stories published in The Times this year, I hope you will also treasure these beautiful memories. Innocence is often lost way too early in this technological society that we live in today. Embrace your little ones and hold on to the magic of Christmas while you still can.
As for me, my Christmas this year will be different again. My boys are all grown and have families of their own. They will be busy with in-laws and children and once again, I get a little tearyeyed thinking about what new traditions we can create together. I try to visit the kids at their homes, so I can watch the grandkids open their presents and see their little faces light up. I like hearing them tell me about finding bells off of Santa’s sleigh. It makes this grandmother smile and that is the greatest gift of all.
I might miss when my kids were little and they were all mine and full of joy and wonder on that very special day, but I have also gained so much more since then.
Merry Christmas, everyone. Enjoy your family on this magical holiday.
