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Christmas
memories of years gone by
Holidays were never
a big thing for me; no reason, they just weren't. Probably a left-over from the
revelation about Santa Claus. Heck, I even went along with the flying reindeer
business. The tree
went up Dec. 22 or 23 and came down Dec. 26. Decorations minimal.
Every Christmas was full of presents, goodies and
candies, and our "family-created-tradition" since they were old enough to beg or
try to out-smart Mom, (Dad just went along with whatever Mother said) dictated
that we go through this "Can't we open just one...please, please, please?" Once
we relented, all hell would break loose. Then it would be all over in an hour or
so.
When the kids were gone from home I became a Christmas
Crazy Woman. (Suddenly it was my tree,
I could do to it whatever I wanted...no more strung popcorn, paper chains, etc.)
I could not get enough Christmas; couldn't buy enough ornaments or decorations;
the tree went up Dec. 1, the day the Christmas cards went out and the house was
decorated and lit up Thanksgiving Day. My tree had a
different theme every year..."They" are right; CHRISTMAS IS GOOD!
Then our first grandchild, Jason Dean, was born Dec.
23. We carried Christmas to the hospital to
be with the little mother and child. Christmases got better every year.
Then we got our second grandson, Morgan Anton, (seven
years later, which has allowed us to enjoy their years of discovery and
wonderment individually), and added to the joys of the season.
I don't remember what happened, but one year things
were not "Christmassy" for lack of a better
word and everything fell into the toilet at our house. That year I opted for no
tree, no lights, nothing, nix, nada. That will never happen again at our house.
If nothing else, I will set up Victoria's little Christmas tree with lights, and
chirping birds.
Of course, now we have our Taylor Leneigh (3), and
Sindi and Morgan make the trek back home
from Las Vegas, and we have all managed to be together again the past couple of
years. But it is the
innocent child that makes everything complete. Christmas is not good without
children.
The house is again decorated and lit up on Thanksgiving Day.
We have, however, received a call from
Morgan asking for "one little favor." Could we please wait until they get home
from Nevada before we decorate so he can help Granddad. We can probably hold off
a little.
The moral of this story? If Christmas should fall into
the toilet for you, plug in a string of Christmas lights and go find Christmas.
Merry Christmas everyone.
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