A Celebration

It's the Saturday before Christmas. Only five (5) more days until Christmas is here. Many families will be gathered and celebrating the holiday together. There will be gift exhanges, eggnog served along with all the dinner fixings of turkey, or ham with stuffing and the delicious side dishes. We, of course, can't forget the delicious desserts that most serve, either the apple or pumpkin, maybe the pecan pie. Of course I'm sure there will be brownies, cookies and little candy canes.

It is also where many families who are struggling financially will either be in a shelter or just spending the day together perhaps with no Christmas dinner and gifts. Some to no choice, while others due to the financial crises our country is dealing with, stock loss or other means, including loosing their jobs.





While Christmas is a day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, it should be a day also to be thankful for each other and the moment of graciously reuniting. Many families won't have that opportunity to reunite with loveones. Some will be mourning the loss of a love one, young and old. There are many who don't beleive in Jesus, while there are many who don't believe in the holiday itself.

When I listen to the Christmas music, it reminds me of my younger days. Times often with family on this holiday and the many times spent alone. There is something about the songs we listened to...it does put you into the Christmas spirit. It gives you a sense of joy, hope and even praise. It also gives you a time to sit back and relax with a hot cup of cocoa...or tea. It gives you a sense of thankfulness, appreciation, acceptance and excitement. It also gives you a sense of respectfulness for "holiness," reverence, a sanctuary.

This year I had hope to have my family gathered together for this holiday...and when it was suggested last year, none of my siblings responded. It was like no one wanted to spend time together...at a time when we needed to be together. I have yet to meet my new sister-in -law and her son. But seeing that my siblings and I are guilty of "hating" our father (well hate is a strong word) -can't stand being with him, I think that even the idea being with him made us all sick. Don't get me wrong...its just my dad can be very argumentive, insulting and still emotionally abusive. I don't think anyone is up to that for the holidays. Of course at the time of suggestion for the gathering, gas prices were outragious too.

In the past, I had put together alot of reunions, including my family; but for some reason I can't put together my immediate family. It not only scares me that they don't want to spend time together while we all are still alive, but the fear that they will have the same attitude when we die. So its like there are no "hello's" much less any "good-byes"...ya know? (LOL) Its pathetic!

This year, Tim and I will again spend Christmas alone. I will put up our little tree and deocrate it even if he does not care for it. I just don't know if this is his last Christmas or not. But I will do my best to make sure he enjoys something of it. Because it needs to be a memory for both of us, if there are no money for the Christmas dinner or gifts. It will be a happy and celebrating family of our own.

I hope this year, that you and your family remember to not only say "hello" that you remember the "good-byes" too. Be thankful for each other. Talk about the good ole days and laugh with it. It will everyone's memory-a good & happy memory. It will be a day to remember, the day Jesus was born. A celebration for all.