Christmas was different this year. The differences helped me realize that Christmas is more than gifts and bragging rights. It's a time to spend with family and enjoy time together. Circumstances that the Lord brought into my life this year helped me realize how important it is to spend time with family.
Christmas in our family always started on Christmas Eve. Grandpa Frank would come to our house for Christmas dinner. He would stay over until nearly midnight. Just before he would leave Dad would let us open one present each. This year was...different. Grandpa passed away one week ago today. Dad did NOT want us to be by ourselves this year, so Auntie M, Uncle Rusty, Paul, Timothy, Peter, Andrew, & Arrena came to our house to celebrate Christmas Eve. It was different, but it was a good different. Paul & I took the opportunity to teach Arrena how to play ping-pong.
Christmas morning has always started with omletes--yum! No change here. I was the first one of the kids up and Dad made me a delicious omlete. Dad made omletes for each of us as we woke up and came into the living room. Omletes. Eggy golden goodness filled with olives, onions, cheese, & ham. I LOVE it!! After breakfast we would open stockings, the remaining presents, & then head over to Grandmommy & Papa's to celebrate Christmas with Mom's family. Well, we haven't gone to grandma & grandpa's in a couple years--they have spent Christmas in Texas with Uncle Russell, Aunt Debbie, & Carena. So, Christmas is just our family. Different. Our gift to each other this year was different too. Rather than spending money on gifts that would set gather dust laying around the house, my parents decided to put the money they would have spent on gifts toward making sure that Crystal, Jarid, & I can stay in college. I think it's the best gift I have ever been given.
This Christmas I realized that Christmas is more than snow, trees, lights, & gifts. It's about family. The love & friendship of family is unique to every individual. Family is the best gift that can be given or received at Christmas.
Christmas in our family always started on Christmas Eve. Grandpa Frank would come to our house for Christmas dinner. He would stay over until nearly midnight. Just before he would leave Dad would let us open one present each. This year was...different. Grandpa passed away one week ago today. Dad did NOT want us to be by ourselves this year, so Auntie M, Uncle Rusty, Paul, Timothy, Peter, Andrew, & Arrena came to our house to celebrate Christmas Eve. It was different, but it was a good different. Paul & I took the opportunity to teach Arrena how to play ping-pong.
Christmas morning has always started with omletes--yum! No change here. I was the first one of the kids up and Dad made me a delicious omlete. Dad made omletes for each of us as we woke up and came into the living room. Omletes. Eggy golden goodness filled with olives, onions, cheese, & ham. I LOVE it!! After breakfast we would open stockings, the remaining presents, & then head over to Grandmommy & Papa's to celebrate Christmas with Mom's family. Well, we haven't gone to grandma & grandpa's in a couple years--they have spent Christmas in Texas with Uncle Russell, Aunt Debbie, & Carena. So, Christmas is just our family. Different. Our gift to each other this year was different too. Rather than spending money on gifts that would set gather dust laying around the house, my parents decided to put the money they would have spent on gifts toward making sure that Crystal, Jarid, & I can stay in college. I think it's the best gift I have ever been given.
This Christmas I realized that Christmas is more than snow, trees, lights, & gifts. It's about family. The love & friendship of family is unique to every individual. Family is the best gift that can be given or received at Christmas.
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