Merry Christmas to all of you. I love Christmas. It has always been a “magical” time for me. The reasons have changed throughout the years though. When I was young it was the gathering at my grandma’s house with family (cousins, aunts, uncles) that I only got to see once or twice a year. It was old fashioned. We ate (or course) all those special foods that grandma would make and my uncle would play his harmonica while we sang Christmas carols. Then we all watched grandma open her presents (dresses and shoes mostly) and model them all. There was about 40 of us there. Sounds corny, but I loved every minute of it.

Now I am the grandma; and I love for my children and grandchildren to come to my house on Christmas Eve and have those special dishes and watch the little ones’ faces as they open their presents. It’s still magical to me.

Have we forgotten about Jesus? No. We read the Christmas story. We try to read about Him most every day. It is just the special once a year events with friends and family that make it magical to me.

Merry Christmas and I
Love you all

To be honest, there are many things that I do not like about this time of year, so it is refreshing to have you challenge me to think of the things I do like.

One thing I have always looked forward to, and will miss terribly this year, is our kids and grandkids coming over for dinner. My four sons standing in the kitchen with me, stirring the food, asking if I need them to do anything. My daughters in law helping to control the many grand angels running around. Of course, Sonny sitting on the couch, usually with a video camera taking everything in.

Our new tradition is probably what I was looking forward to most. With so many little ones opening presents, Nana and Da usually missed more than we observed, so we had to have a plan. We put a chair in the middle of the room and we would draw names to see who opened their gift. Each child, instead of getting selfish and only worrying about their gifts, would express such awe with each of their cousins as the gifts were opened. It is so rewarding to hear one grandbaby say to another “Good job”, or “that is so pretty (or cool), do you like it?”

That memory alone reminds me that we are
Blessed and Highly Favored

(fa·vored (fvrd) adj.
1. Treated or thought of with great kindness or partiality: the favored child.
2. Endowed with special gifts, talents, or advantages.

love and hugs