"Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmastime."
– Laura Ingalls Wilder
Christmas has both joyful and sorrowful memories. Our memories are important. As I get older, I tend to reflect more on my past memories of Christmases, but I continue to look forward to making new memories. Today, I am sharing some of my memories in hopes that you will share some of yours in the comment section.
When I was young, my parents worked very hard to make Christmas fun. We opened presents on Christmas Eve. Every afternoon on Christmas Eve, we would do something. We would go to the movies, go to the snow, go for a long ride, or get banished to the back of the house to play games with Dad. Santa had already been there when we would come home or be told we could come to the front of the house. I thought that Santa had very poor organizational skills. I wondered why Santa would come to my home on Christmas Eve day but not go to my neighbor's house until late Christmas Eve night. My neighbors didn't get their gifts until Christmas morning. One year, I asked my dad, and he said that Santa delivered presents in the order of the mother's maiden name. My mom's maiden name was Arbuckle, and my neighbor's name started with a P. This scenario took place until I got out of high school. (Yes, by that time, I knew my mom was Santa.)
As I became a young adult, I did not spend as much time at home; in fact, I moved to my own apartment. I still visited my parents on Christmas Eve but did not participate in all the traditions. I was good with it because I was forming my own life. However, it was difficult for my parents to accept the change. One year, I was watching Christmas movies with my friends and went to my parents for a couple of hours. Santa still came, and he brought me a keyboard. I was so excited!! I did not stay long, and it felt strange when I returned to my friend's house. It was growing pains for all involved.
Once I got married, things went back to more family time. It was awkward to share time with two families. My husband's family lived in a different state than mine, so it was one year with his family and one year with mine. My husband's family did things so differently that it took me a while to participate with open arms! Before my husband and I divorced, I learned to love his family's traditions.
I have experienced some difficult Christmases. The first was after my Dad died. My mom tried to keep everything the same and joyful. It was hard, and no one wanted to address the elephant in the room. We had a pleasant evening; however, no one laughed or showed much excitement. We just exchanged pleasantries. When I left, I cried most of the way home. I lived an hour away from my parents. The second difficult Christmas encompasses many years. I lost my son in an adoption failure. The birth mother was coming to get him on December 30, and we knew since December 11 that she was coming to take him. His first Christmas was highly emotional. For the next 12 years, I did not decorate or participate in most Christmas celebrations.
Then, after my mom's death, I moved to Fresno (my brother and I inherited my grandparent's house.) It was too nice of a home not to decorate, and I have become a Christmas person. My favorite Christmases are spent in Oklahoma with my best friend and her grandchildren, who I consider my nieces and nephews. When I am home, I decorate and go to friends' homes. I learned that I am loved and cared about during the Christmas season.
Those are a few of my precious memories. Thank you for letting me share. I am thankful for each Christmas I have had, and I look forward to every year to come. Please leave a comment and share a Christmas memory!
Comments