On my son's first Christmas I gaze at the lights shining on our Christmas tree and reflect on all the things that mean the most. At Christmas I am most thankful for the food on my table the love in my heart the family I can rely on and the life I am so thankful to be living. I have celebrated 29 Christmas's and all in some way reflected the magic of Christmas and all its glory....
I have always loved Christmas. My sister is the one that is always preaching tradition. She has always made sure the stuffing is cooked exactly the same way every Thanksgiving and that our family nativity set is showcased every Christmas. When she was little she started traditions without even realizing it.
Every Christmas morning I could count on her waking me up. It was always before the sun came up and she would climb into my bed and remind me what an exciting moment I was missing by sleeping. Half the fun of Christmas was the anticipation of wondering if Santa really did come and what was waiting for us under the tree. When my Dad was alive he was equally as excited and our Christmas morning would usually start with my mother stumbling into the kitchen for a morning pick me up with a cup of coffee and us exploring the treats Santa had left us. Before we could see Santa's treats we would line up at the stairs and go down as a family. The first kid down would be a reflection of the past year. Most times my little sister was the first, She was the one who was always on honor roll at school and my older sister quite frankly couldn't help but it get in trouble. Even when she was trying to be good she would most times trail last and I was always was in the middle.
Santa presents were always fun but the most special gifts came in perfectly wrapped boxes that said "from, Mom + Dad." We would sit in a circle and take turns opening gifts. One year I wanted a new born real baby.... so badly. Tera had opened one and liked it but I kept wondering why she would get the doll I was asking for. As each present was unwrapped I began to wonder if I was even going to get my baby. With only one gift left I tore the paper from the box and there she was, baby Elizabeth smelled of fresh baby powder and was wearing a while bonnet with pink ribbon. With her tiny pink lips and big eyes.... she was perfect. Tears streamed from my face and I thanked my parents. That moment felt like the best moment of my life.
I have never had a Christmas where I have not felt loved. I have never had a Christmas that I questioned if I would have family to celebrate with. Over the years the magic has transformed itself from a perfect a baby doll to the giving tree at work, providing a Christmas for children who otherwise would not have one. To having a baby and only caring about making his holiday as special as mine have always been. As I go forward each year at Christmas I hope to teach little Benjamin to always embrace and love Santa and even beyond the years that he believes and to keep creating the magic of Christmas and their will always be a Santa Claus.
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