It's December and I'm sitting in my apartment drinking all the yummy Christmas Drinks and watching Hallmark movies. Sounds fabulous right? Of course it's part of Christmas, however, that's not what I want to talk about this time.
I can't think of Christmas without thinking of being with family and celebrating with those that I love. It's always a special time of year when my mom and I bake cookies in the kitchen, when my dad and I make homemade fudge and the house smells like Christmas all season long. I feel fortunate that I have been able to spend each Christmas with my parents. Sometimes it's only for a day or so and sometimes it's longer. Every moment that I get to spend with the ones I love is special.
There are many families that have strained relationships, broken relationships and different family dynamics. To all the families no matter who you are, it's not about the presents or the decorations but it's about spending time with the ones that you hold near and dear to your heart. I know for me, I have gotten to experience things that others would only imagine to see/experience.
Throughout my life, it has always been about the experience and the other things are important but not the things that I dwell on. I am proud to say that I am a Christ follower and I get to celebrate him being born. There has been much debate on when Christ was born but all who follow Christ can attest to that he was indeed born and we do get to celebrate him. I don't just celebrate him on Christmas and on Easter but I get to celebrate him all year long.
Going back to spending time with family; we have specific traditions at our home; for instance, the Christmas Tree always gets placed in the same spot and we always get it the day after Thanksgiving. My dad and I always go to San Francisco (the only day that my dad puts up with going into stores other than the hardware or train store). We started this way long ago when the Emporium was still in existence and we would go to the rooftop rides. My mom and I take over the kitchen, baking cookies and other yummy Christmas Treats. These are things that have always been done and it's always an unspoken rule that these have to be done in order to feel like it's Christmas.
I am a family oriented person and have always treasured the times I do get to spend with family. The size of our gatherings have grown and shrunk throughout the years but it doesn't matter the size but the love that is always given each and every time this season comes around.
So to that end, I want to wish each and everyone a Merry Christmas and know that no matter who you are or what happens; know that God is always with us and he'll always be there no matter what!!
