Christmas has ALWAYS been special to my family. I remember when I was young. On Christmas Eve, all the aunts and uncle and cousins would show up at my grandparents house. It was always a good time. Getting to see family is what really made it special. The house was bursting with conversation and laughter and chili. I truly miss those Christmases and treasure each and every memory I have from then.
My mom and my sisters and I always woke up on Christmas morning at my grandparents house as well. My grandpa loved waking us up to see what "Santa" brought us. I think he also loved it because it was the one of a few times a year that he got to have everyone awake as early has he always was (he was always an early riser). Pictures of us with my grandparents as well as my Aunt Lori and Uncle Dan in the den opening presents were plentiful over the years.
My two sisters and I were raised by my mom. She always did what she could to make it as special as she could, as money was always tight with my mom. One year, she stayed up until well after we went to bed to make clothes and pajamas and such for us. She would literally lay it on top of us as we slept to make sure it fit.
I remember one year in Junior High, name brand jeans were the "in" thing, and so she had everyone get me a pair of them so I would be "in style" like the rest of era. Like I said, she always did what she could to make it special. Another year, I remember getting a photo album and I'm like "uh, okay great, a photo album". And then I saw my sister opening her photo album (I honestly thought it was a blank one) and it was filled with pictures of her! So of course I opened mine and sure enough, mine was filled with pictures of me. It truly was one of THE MOST SPECIAL presents I had ever gotten from her. Something that cost only the price of the album itself and then filling it with so many memories.
As we became adults and being able to purchase presents for our mom, it was definitely a struggle at times, trying to get her gifts we knew she would love. She loved the dog Odie from the Garfield cartoon and so I happened to find these oversized Odie slippers for her. I literally had never heard her laugh so hard with such joy as she opened that present.
On the 19th of December it will be 20 years since my mom passed away. Literally so much has happened in 20 years. And while, for the most part I realize that it has been 20 years since we lost Mom, and I'm okay, sometimes the memories flood back and sadness overcomes me. But the wonderful memories I have of my Christmases with her will always bring me joy.
For anyone who reads this just always try and remember the good times and the wonderful joy you can bring to your friends and loved ones and appreciate your circles, and always try to be kind to that stranger who might just be having a bad day.
