Is It--The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year?

As the song goes, “Its the most wonderful time of the year...” Christmas has certainly changed for me. What happened to the excitement that I use to feel as a child? Where did the longing for Santa to visit me go to? Is this a sign of getting older? I hope not!

Christmas as a newly wed was so romantic. Sitting in front of the Christmas tree together opening up our gifts and sharing laughs and the thrill of being a “ new family,” make me smile and warms my heart when I think of those times today. In my mind, I can see and feel the sheer joy and love of the holiday.

When our children were born—the spirit of the holiday lived on. We created family traditions and rituals that we did together. From cutting down the family Christmas tree to having our children brew our morning coffee on Christmas morning, before any gifts were opened—and finally watching the movie “A Christmas Story” every Christmas—who cared that we all knew the script by heart—it was the fact that we were together.

Now that the kids are grown up and on their own, I have had to learn to let go or rather let them go and hope that they too create their own family traditions--and, I have had to start new traditions. The first one being, “perogi day.” As a family, we get together in November and spend the day making periogi. It is a fun relaxing way to spend the day. The thought of this past periogi day does warm my heart and put a smile on my face. I never knew that my husband could be such a good dough maker!

I think back and remember my Dad wiping a few tears aways during the holiday family get togethers. I now get it—it is the sadness of Christmas past....missing parents, family and friends.

Christmas morning I will celebrate the joy of My Savior's birth. My sweet husband and I will sit together—while he serves me coffee—some new traditions are priceless:), the two of us will watch “A Chrismas Story.” I will smile to myself and think how much joy my “adopted” family will feel when they open their gifts from Santa! It really is the most wonderful time of year!