What do you remember about the holidays when you were younger? Was it expensive gifts and extravagant meals? Or was it spending time with the ones you love? More and more each year, I realize it's the experiences leading up to the holiday that I will remember. I remember driving with my family in the evening looking at houses decorated with a cup of hot chocolate in hand. Each year we attended Christmas morning mass, then rush home to open our gifts before going to my Grandma and Grandpa's for our Christmas meal and to share my Grandma's birthday who was born on Christmas. My Dad taking each of his children (5 of us) on our own to buy Mom her Christmas gift from us. One year I still remember he let me pick out bath oil beads for Mom at
Walgreen's and at the time, our store had a small restaurant in it with red leather booths. My Dad and I each had a hot chocolate topped with whipped cream.
My favorite ornament on our Christmas tree growing up was the church pictured above, though it used to have a small dome over it. Each year after my husband and I were married, my Mom would show me where my favorite church was on she and Dad's tree. My Mom passed away nearly 10 years ago, and my Dad still has all of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to celebrate Christmas. My husband and I now have my favorite little church on our tree where I pack it away safely each year until the next Christmas. It warms my heart seeing it and fills me with memories of Christmas's past.
We have a beautiful artificial tree now, but growing up until nearly 10 years ago, we enjoyed the ritual of finding the most perfect Christmas tree. I consider my memories a true gift and remember them more vividly than anything else. Spending time with your family and friends and visiting those who have lost a loved one or spending the holidays alone will be the true gifts of Christmas.
