Reflections on Christmas

I've been married for 22 Christmas'!
And for 20 of those Christmas'
Our Holiday Decorations have gone up
on the day after Thanksgiving!!
Sorry Black Friday,
You don't interest me!
NOT ONE BIT!!


One of those rare exceptions was the
first year my son was at College,
we spent Thanksgiving with him
and not at home,
so Christmas went up BEFORE we left,
so that when we came home,
the trees would be up and the
Christmas season ready to start.

The other rare exception was this year!
This is what my house looked like two
days BEFORE Thanksgiving,

my family room- not much family-ing going on

the game room, not much gaming going on

my bedroom, NO sleeping going on

and two days AFTER Thanksgiving we
were more concerned with moving OUT
of our temporary housing
and arranging for delivery of our household goods
than we were with Christmas Trees, Ornaments and
Christmas Countdown Quilts!

I did get one tree up by the second week of Christmas,

and a few easy to place decorations,
but in a house that usually has a tree in every room,
this seemed very un-Christmas-y to me.
My kids added a second tree,
a few days later
with all my favorite RED ornaments,

BUT no matter how hard I tried,
I couldn't get myself into the holiday spirit.

Finally, FIVE DAYS BEFORE Christmas
I asked my husband how he felt about NOT
having a tree in our bedroom!
Weighing his answer very carefully,
knowing how I was feeling,
he confessed that he really loved the tree
that usually lights our bedroom.

I am so glad that he spoke his heart.
As I worked at putting the tree up
(actually it turned out being two smaller trees)

and putting my favorite ornaments on the trees,

I was flooded with emotions!
Feelings of friendships long ago formed,
thoughts of the talented people
who have surrounded me for 15 years,
and memories of all the sweet moments
we have spent together.

I don't have a lot of new Friendships YET,
but these trees,
and the ornaments that adorn the branches,

filled my home with what I needed at that moment!
Hope that there are friends wherever we go,
that connections will be made and
life is full of whatever we put in it!

I stared at those trees every morning and night
so grateful that forever ago,
I formed an ornament exchange with friends
that I love and girls I admired
and on this very sad,
very lonely Holiday Season,
memories of them
and all they represent
filled my home,
and my heart with LOVE!

So today as I reflect on the Holiday Season,
I feel more than ever before,
that Christmas isn't about the
Presents we Give,
it's more about the
Presence we Share!

I hope you keep the Gift of Christmas Presence
all through the New Year.