Just Like the Ones I Used to Know

It's Christmas Day! If you have small children you have probably been up for hours. I remember those mornings. As my girls have grown I have spent many hours remembering their early Christmases. I think about the gifts they received, their reactions, and the light in their eyes. I remember how they loved to look at Christmas lights and decorations. They enjoyed wearing their Christmas sweaters and socks. These memories are some of my greatest possessions.

One of the favorite memories of my siblings and mine is of my mother. When we were little she always bought the Life Saver storybooks and wrapped one for each of us. As we got older and began bringing friends over for Christmas Eve, she always had extra storybooks to give out. She didn't want anyone to go away without a gift. This became a running joke with my family.

After Maddy and I were married I was putting up our tree one afternoon. We had one that you had to put each branch on individually by a color code. I had sorted all the branches out and they were laying all over the floor. Our basset hound Buster was in the house and decided that apparently the "trees" were a great place to relieve himself. I had to laugh, even though I had to clean it up.

Please excuse my appearance! Remember I had just been up all night pushing out a 9 lb. 10 oz. basketball with no pain meds!

In 1995 I had one of my most memorable Christmas. Apparently I was in labor during our Christmas Eve celebration and my water broke once we were home. Caitlin arrived at 4:56am on Christmas morning. Unfortunately, Santa didn't deliver! Maddy went to get us breakfast but came back empty handed. We forgot what day it was! He went to his parents' house to have Christmas with them and Alison. He did bring me a great meal, but by the time I got to eat, it wasn't as good. I did get to go home the next day and Alison was able to open her gifts there.

That year was also the Christmas after my dad had a stroke and had gotten out of rehab just in time.

The next year was a wonderful Christmas because all of my siblings were together and no one bickered or fought. It was peaceful and enjoyable. That also ended up being my dad's last Christmas. I was so glad we had been all together in harmony that year.

All these years later, I still have the little dog.

Another Christmas that stands out to me happened a few years later. That year was going to be lean for us. I had left the teaching job I had and was working as an aide for considerably less money. I told Maddy that we would just get the kids some gifts and not worry about anything for each other. That morning we watched the girls open their gifts with joy. He handed me a gift bag from him. I gave him a "look" since we said no gifts. I opened it to find a small stuffed puppy with a stocking cap and long floppy ears. I held on to the puppy while we watched the girls play. Almost an hour later (I think he had given me some hints) I finally noticed he had put diamond earrings in the dog's ears. He was sneaky like that!

Most years there have been things that have become great memories, but others have been years to remember those who were no longer with us. When each year is completed, I am grateful for the time I have spent with family and friends, the laughs that have been shared, and the memories that have been made.

As you finish celebrating this Christmas, I hope that you took time to visit loved ones and create a new memory to share for years to come. I also hope you reflected on the reason for the season and the love that came with the birth of our Savior. He was born in order to die for us. We didn't deserve that love, but Jesus gave it freely.

Merry Christmas!