~The Spirit of Christmas, One True Gift~Love
Tonight I felt inspired to write this on my status on face book:
What I want for Christmas won't fit in a box.It's neither big or small.U can't touch or see it but you'll feel it inside.I want the gift of seeing you happy~If we could make each other feel loved &fill each other W/ hope,Joy will soon follow.In turn the gift will be shared& go on forever.Nothing u can buy me will ever be as beautiful as the smile on your face.Not just on the holiday but always.Happy Holidays to all ♥
Anytime I write something emotional like this where I have stripped myself of the usual "clothes" we each wear on a social network, I worry that my thoughts might be disliked,or worse, admitted to me that they are disliked. Although I believe that every human has a right to their opinion and know that not everyone will like every word I write,it truly does hurt me when someone(anyone) leaves a negative comment. As usual though my friends were encouraging of this comment as they are with all. I admit I am surprised when people tell me that they admire me for being so honest and open. It comes easily to me and, honestly,what kind of writer would I be if I didn't put all of me out there for my reader to read? A few people have even asked me if they could copy the thoughts. As I told both of them,yes,of course they could copy it! That is a writer's dream come true.
Is it just me or is it now when finally I catch myself stressing over what to get my kids that the true meaning of Christmas becomes very apparent? Its easy to forget when you are a kid and your Mom and Dad go crazy with the credit cards to think we know what the real meaning is yet miss it completely!! Since the kids were born Kevin and I decided to buy each other little or no presents for each other. We get some from his Mom and from mine when she was alive so we get more than me need...Yet its the giving that is the best part. I wish every year that I had spoiled Kevin. Hey, he works 60+ hours a week most of the time and hardly has time to think so its normal for me to want to buy him everything his heart desires. He feels the same so its tough on the morning of Christmas not to feel like something is missing but its not that I am wishing I got more or that he is wishing I spoiled him. Its the thought that we wish we had gotten each other something special. I think that kind of regret is okay. I'd rather wish I had bought him more than wish I hadn't with bills due.
We decided when the kids were born to try to give them a modest yet memorable Christmas. I never want them to get to a point where they have so many gifts that they can't remember what they got. We get them a big present which may be a present for each of them or one for all (this year it May be the Nintendo Wii for all of us) and then we buy 6-7 smaller presents and fill their stockings with everything from candy to deodorant and everything in between. This has worked for us since if you ask each of them what they got last year they truly remember whereas try as I might, I couldn't at their age. Every Christmas Eve we go to Kevin's Mom and Dad's house where we eat all sorts of foods,see all the family and go online to see where Santa is. Then we all sit down and open our spoils from Anne and Cal. Then its home to sprinkle reindeer food on the ground before the kids put cookies and milk out on the table with a letter to Santa....When they go to bed I have fun putting out our gifts,rearranging them and off to bed I go. In the morning I borrow a tradition my siblings and I learned from growing up with my not-such-a-morning-person-Mom....The kids get up, turn on our coffee so it will be ready soon(now we have the Keurig one cup at a time maker so this year will be interesting). Once the coffee is thankfully in our cup and making it into our mouths,the kids get their stockings, a garbage bag and climb into bed with us where they open all their little trinkets. Then I try to stall them with breakfast (which honestly is cinnamon buns because I am too excited too to cook) and then they open the loot under the tree.After all the presents are open and the wrapping paper cleared we open the actual boxes(aren't those damn metal twist ties on the dolls and toys fun to fight with each year? I hate those things). Then we get dressed,pick at food here and there and cook a great big ham dinner. I try to make it so that the kids don't feel like Christmas is over just because the wrapping is off the presents. I play all sorts of holiday music and movies and we call our family to say Merry Christmas.
Still, it isn't the presents or the food that fills me with Christmas spirit.It never really was. As much as I loved the presents there was always something about that light that dawned in the morning of Christmas. I was always up before the sun(I still am the first up now even before the kids!).When the dark of the early morning fades and the light gently moves in over the neighborhood I hear the breathing of the sleeping house and the silence is so sweet. I turn on the Christmas tree and stand there taking in its sparkling lights and all the decorations~ The colors of gold,silver,green and red....The ornaments that the kids made at school as they tried to hold back their excitement and the special ornaments that when Mom died I inherited...I love each and every one.In that peaceful,love and hope filled moment when the night goes to day and Christmas is at our feet just waiting for the kids to wake and for the excitement of it all to burst is when I feel the spirit of Christmas take over and move me. The love of my family and friends and the smile that stretches across my kids lips~The sweet kisses from them and Kevin and the realization that everything I want and need all fits into one little room and doesn't cost a penny...That is my gift to and from my loved ones.
Happy Holidays to all...I am lucky to know each and every one of you...I am a better person for having met you and feel blessed to call you each my friend.Thank you.
Love, Stacy J Roosa
What I want for Christmas won't fit in a box.It's neither big or small.U can't touch or see it but you'll feel it inside.I want the gift of seeing you happy~If we could make each other feel loved &fill each other W/ hope,Joy will soon follow.In turn the gift will be shared& go on forever.Nothing u can buy me will ever be as beautiful as the smile on your face.Not just on the holiday but always.Happy Holidays to all ♥
Anytime I write something emotional like this where I have stripped myself of the usual "clothes" we each wear on a social network, I worry that my thoughts might be disliked,or worse, admitted to me that they are disliked. Although I believe that every human has a right to their opinion and know that not everyone will like every word I write,it truly does hurt me when someone(anyone) leaves a negative comment. As usual though my friends were encouraging of this comment as they are with all. I admit I am surprised when people tell me that they admire me for being so honest and open. It comes easily to me and, honestly,what kind of writer would I be if I didn't put all of me out there for my reader to read? A few people have even asked me if they could copy the thoughts. As I told both of them,yes,of course they could copy it! That is a writer's dream come true.
Is it just me or is it now when finally I catch myself stressing over what to get my kids that the true meaning of Christmas becomes very apparent? Its easy to forget when you are a kid and your Mom and Dad go crazy with the credit cards to think we know what the real meaning is yet miss it completely!! Since the kids were born Kevin and I decided to buy each other little or no presents for each other. We get some from his Mom and from mine when she was alive so we get more than me need...Yet its the giving that is the best part. I wish every year that I had spoiled Kevin. Hey, he works 60+ hours a week most of the time and hardly has time to think so its normal for me to want to buy him everything his heart desires. He feels the same so its tough on the morning of Christmas not to feel like something is missing but its not that I am wishing I got more or that he is wishing I spoiled him. Its the thought that we wish we had gotten each other something special. I think that kind of regret is okay. I'd rather wish I had bought him more than wish I hadn't with bills due.
We decided when the kids were born to try to give them a modest yet memorable Christmas. I never want them to get to a point where they have so many gifts that they can't remember what they got. We get them a big present which may be a present for each of them or one for all (this year it May be the Nintendo Wii for all of us) and then we buy 6-7 smaller presents and fill their stockings with everything from candy to deodorant and everything in between. This has worked for us since if you ask each of them what they got last year they truly remember whereas try as I might, I couldn't at their age. Every Christmas Eve we go to Kevin's Mom and Dad's house where we eat all sorts of foods,see all the family and go online to see where Santa is. Then we all sit down and open our spoils from Anne and Cal. Then its home to sprinkle reindeer food on the ground before the kids put cookies and milk out on the table with a letter to Santa....When they go to bed I have fun putting out our gifts,rearranging them and off to bed I go. In the morning I borrow a tradition my siblings and I learned from growing up with my not-such-a-morning-person-Mom....The kids get up, turn on our coffee so it will be ready soon(now we have the Keurig one cup at a time maker so this year will be interesting). Once the coffee is thankfully in our cup and making it into our mouths,the kids get their stockings, a garbage bag and climb into bed with us where they open all their little trinkets. Then I try to stall them with breakfast (which honestly is cinnamon buns because I am too excited too to cook) and then they open the loot under the tree.After all the presents are open and the wrapping paper cleared we open the actual boxes(aren't those damn metal twist ties on the dolls and toys fun to fight with each year? I hate those things). Then we get dressed,pick at food here and there and cook a great big ham dinner. I try to make it so that the kids don't feel like Christmas is over just because the wrapping is off the presents. I play all sorts of holiday music and movies and we call our family to say Merry Christmas.
Still, it isn't the presents or the food that fills me with Christmas spirit.It never really was. As much as I loved the presents there was always something about that light that dawned in the morning of Christmas. I was always up before the sun(I still am the first up now even before the kids!).When the dark of the early morning fades and the light gently moves in over the neighborhood I hear the breathing of the sleeping house and the silence is so sweet. I turn on the Christmas tree and stand there taking in its sparkling lights and all the decorations~ The colors of gold,silver,green and red....The ornaments that the kids made at school as they tried to hold back their excitement and the special ornaments that when Mom died I inherited...I love each and every one.In that peaceful,love and hope filled moment when the night goes to day and Christmas is at our feet just waiting for the kids to wake and for the excitement of it all to burst is when I feel the spirit of Christmas take over and move me. The love of my family and friends and the smile that stretches across my kids lips~The sweet kisses from them and Kevin and the realization that everything I want and need all fits into one little room and doesn't cost a penny...That is my gift to and from my loved ones.
Happy Holidays to all...I am lucky to know each and every one of you...I am a better person for having met you and feel blessed to call you each my friend.Thank you.
Love, Stacy J Roosa
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