This year is one of equal excitement as Drew and I can't wait to see Everett's reaction to his presents! Watching your child's happiness on Christmas morning is something I have always wanted to experience and as Everett is growing and becoming more aware of his surroundings I know he is going to be so much fun this year to watch! Patrick and his fiancé Taren are spending their first Christmas together with us this year too and we are so excited to share our traditions with her!
Since moving in with mom in August, this will be our first Christmas where we Are hosting. It is a surreal experience and I have spent much of the past weeks reflecting on the details and love my Mom put into each moment of Christmas morning.
Many of the decorations that are on display in our house are ones that I have inherited from mom since her disease has kept her from being able to decorate herself. I have vivid memories of decorating our house on Highland in Abilene with many of these items after she insisted we needed more decorations and we bought out Pier Ones holiday display. All the while I was thinking "will she still have money for presents if we get all of this?!" Now I am so thankful for these items, not necessarily in my taste, but because of the moments and memories we shared collecting them! Her holiday spirit is still very present in our home this season!
Mom has spent the past few weeks very emotional. Listening to Amy Grant's Christmas has not been a joyful event this year. Initially I blamed it on her disease or medicine cocktail not being adequate but I now believe it is partly to blame on her knowing she can't "do Christmas" like she once did and wants to. There is so much she is still aware of and this has always been such a special time of year for her. I have thought about all the joy she would have had buying presents for her now 4 grandchildren and one on the way! What delight she would have taken in welcoming a new daughter in law into the family and celebrating her first Christmas with us! Although she is excited on some level it is not what it could have been or deserved to be!
After a day of exhausting myself buying presents, groceries and organizing I asked her how in the world she did Christmas for us like she did as a single parent?! I said when did you find the time? Weren't you so worn out?! She simply replies with "yes, and I loved it!"
I pray that as we go forward adapting traditions to fit our new family and making our own traditions, I will always carry my mom's joy for the season and love of her children with me as a reminder of the magic it brought me as a child! And I hope that my children will find the season just as magical and exciting and always remember their Mom loving this special time and precious memories with them!!
No comments:
Post a Comment