by Joe Susan
I hope that you and your family are well. Wednesday is Christmas. The holiday season is a special time for all of us. I believe in the magic of Christmas. It gets real quiet as the special day approaches. The hustle of last minute shopping slows down, people travel to come together with family. They settle in to the warmth of knowing they are with loved ones.
We are fortunate that all three of our children will be “home” for the holiday. I am excited about having our family together. There is always something special about everyone being under one roof. Many group hugs.
Christmas is about memories. I hope that yours are positive. Mine go back to growing up and the anticipation of getting something special. My approach has changed in that I get much more out of being with loved ones and giving of myself.
The magic of Christmas is best seen through the eyes of a child. All of us went through this special time as we grew. Most of us yearn back to it and envy the joy and anticipation that we see in the children we are fortunate to be around at this time of year. They do believe. So do I.
We were on Santa watch throughout the year but our good behavior ramped up during the month of December. We were of simple means but felt we had everything. The most important thing we had was each other. Love is the most special gift you can give.
I remember snow. Yes White Christmases….lots of snow. Now I am sure that was not a constant but it sure seemed that way. The anticipation on Christmas Eve led to us trying to go to bed early after setting up our stockings (no fireplace….but we made it work) and leaving cookies and milk for Santa.
Not much sleep on those magical evenings. Our Christmas lists were wishful at best. We had seen Santa in the mall and often cried before being forced onto his lap to take a picture. Funny he showed up in another mall on the very same day; good at getting around he was. His beard and toupee left a bit to be desired.
My sister and brothers would always wake up early and sneak to the stairwell. We would start as early as 3am though we knew we couldn’t come down until our parents called us. The essence of Christmas is not in what you receive…it is in what you give to others.
Cindy and I spent Christmas together as a young couple early in our marriage. We celebrated with one another and visited those close to us. Our love grew and our family did as well.
As a Father the memories are made each year as the holiday season gets closer. The best part of Christmas is seeing the pure joy that young children have when they come down to see the tree. There is nothing better than the smiles and hugs you share with close family. As our children have grown into adults that will never change.
Our family will be together this Christmas. Responsibilities, time and geography have impacted the time we are able to come together. The magic of the holiday will bring back special memories and create new ones.
The most important thing about Christmas is the people you are able to share this special time with. The gifts will come and go but the relationships we share with those we love impact our souls. It is a time to gather each other together and share the best present of all…..TIME.
This is also a time to remember Christmases in the past. Especially those that we shared with people we love who are no longer with us. The older I get the longer this list gets. It is a fact of life. The impact they have on us will last forever. In the love that we have shared they are eternal.
Cherish those you are close to. Gather them together for a team hug. Laugh, cry and if you choose to dance then dance like no one is looking. Whatever holiday you celebrate, I wish you and those you love the very best for a joyous time.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
My best to you.
Take care,
Joe
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