It is the season! Soon it will be Christmas Day, 2025. And what a year it has been! I love Christmas!
As a little girl, Christmas meant eyes glued to the Eatons Christmas Catalogue, constantly changing my mind about what I wanted Santa to bring me. Christmas meant singing Christmas Carols at Sunday School, hearing again the story of Mary and Joseph, their journey to the manger where the baby Jesus was born.
Christmas meant a Christmas party at church with Santa's visit, and gifts, cheerful singing, and another party at Dad's workplace with more gifts from Santa.
Christmas Eve meant so much excitement we kids couldn't get to sleep in anticipation of Santa actually coming to visit our home. We knew he was magic because we didn't even have a fireplace and we had no idea how he managed to get into our house. And Christmas morning wanting to rush to the living room to see what Santa left under the tree for us, only to be stopped once again by Daddy who insisted we eat our breakfast first as he did every Christmas, though not any other day of the year. His action really did add to our excitement, as was his plan.
Christmas Day meant Mommy roasting a delicious turkey with all the trimmings; visits by relatives, much joy and happiness.
As a young mother, Christmas continued to be all about Christmas trees, Santa Claus, turkey dinners, the happiness of the kids, and visits by relatives. No focus on church events, but always the remembrance that Christmas was the day we celebrated the birthday of Jesus.
As a grandmother, Santa continued to reign. I was becoming the observer. The joy of the grandkids is precious and I feel blessed by the welcome to participate.
As a great-grandmother, I'm even more of an observer. Yes, family traditions continue but now I'm the one who can sit back and enjoy all the efforts of the Moms and Dads, knowing the children are filled with the excitement and the magic of Christmas.
As a senior woman remembering all Christmases past, I feel emotional, but these are peaceful emotions. I have been blessed to celebrate many Christmases, with one exception, always with loved ones, always with the presence of caring others.
Remembering the one exception, it is a happy memory. Dudley and I were alone that Christmas. My family all lived quite far away and I'd met few people in my new town. I spent that quiet Christmas reading, listening to music, and I enjoyed phone calls from far-away family. I'm grateful that I've enjoyed the blessing of that Christmas. It was neither happy nor sad. It was one of reflection, learning, and feeling at one with myself.
Most Christmases have been happy ones.
Some Christmases have been ones where sadness ruled. My dear sister, Muriel, passed away several years ago on December 23rd. Another dear sister, Eleanor, passed away on December 17th. The Christmas following the passing of Brian was one when I was with family, but in my heart I was not really present at all.
Some other Christmases were visited by remembrance of beloved pets who once filled my life with happiness and purpose.
But life is good and I feel gratitude for every Christmas season. Life is difficult for too many today and sometimes I fear that the joy, the meaning, the magic of Christmas is being lost in the Black Fridays, the Boxing Days, the shopping frenzy that does its best to steal the peace, the purpose, and the promise of Christmas.
However you spend your Christmas this year, I hope it is one that will be a blessing in your life.
Merry Christmas to all my family and friends! 💕
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