Just Some Thoughts and Feelings

I will have to be honest about Christmas... I was a little humbug this year. I am not sure if it was the cruise that through me off or the many kids that have been over lately or just the fact that I am pregnant. I just wasn't in the mood to do all the work that is involved and wanted to do more then just simplify this year.

Of course their are other things that come into play here too... the basement is very close to being finished and Tony and I both know that the money needs to go towards that. Plus I believe with our family that the true meaning of Christmas is easily pushed aside. I decided to change that a bit and started a neighborhood charity pool, and volunteer. So, instead of the many neighbor gifts that are given out, we asked people to give to the homeless and then on the 3rd we're taking the items to the shelter and serving them. Many worries have come from what my neighbors really think of my trying to change the tradition, but then I just remember that it doesn't really matter. It is fine with me if I am the only one doing it, but they know where my extra clothes, food, toiliteries, cleaning supplies, and money are going this year. I must say though that I have been amazed and humbled by my neighbors. Many have jumped to the chance to help others, and many have went above and beyond the normal.

Even though I started out being humbugged this year. I have to say that this has been one of the best Christmas times of my life. Now I remember a lot of Christmases over the course of my years... almost 30, but there are 2 now that stick out above the rest. One being when my family had NO money. My dad had been out of a job for years and we lived in a house bigger then we could afford. Somebody did the 12 days of Christmas for us. This wasn't just any 12 days of Christmas. This person went above and beyond. The first day for example was a huge Christmas tree (which we were happy for since we didn't have one) with huge pears neatly hung all over it. Then it ended the night before Christmas with a dinner grander then you can even think of. We were over whelmed that year with the service and generosity of who ever it was doing it. Yes, we tried hard to figure it out, and yes we did get wrapped up in what we'd be getting the next day, but in the end and years later that isn't why it will always be remembered as one of my favorites. It is because of the service.

This year is going to be like that too. Erik wishing that he could go see us take all this stuff to the shelter (Although they said no small kids... for good reason). It's been about giving this year. Yes, of course our kids got gifts, and and yes everything on their very short and exact lists to Santa. Even with that it was more about the giving, and the time we got to spend together this year.

I don't mind that our Christmas tree lights were all broken when we put the tree up 2 days before Christmas... or that any lights didn't work this year, or that we can't get out of the drive way because of huge amount of snow, or that I had to do my shopping a few days before Christmas to have no kids with me. Why? It's because we had a tree with all the other trimmings, we didn't let the snow stop us if we wanted to go any where (I didn't have to be to the bus stop 3 times a day, and Tony was home to drive everywhere else.), and at least we were able to have presents that were just right for each person. I am so grateful for my family and for my neighbors. People make life meaningful.

Thank you for all the love and support this Christmas. Thank you for putting up with me and letting me into your lives. I love where I live. I love my husband. I love my kids. I know that none of this would be here if it wasn't for my Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you for giving your life for me, for every one that I know, or have met, or will meet, and the billions that I will never meet. Thank you for your loving sacrifice that is the true meaning of Christmas and what it is all about.

This has turned out to be a great Christmas!