Every year I post a little saying on FB about my children asking me what I want for Christmas and it goes something like this:
I’ve decided to give them my real answer when they ask what do I want for Christmas? I want YOU. I want you to keep coming around, I want you to bring your kids around, I want you to ask me questions, ask my advice, tell me your problems, ask for my opinion, ask for my help. I want you to come over and rant about your problems, rant about life, whatever. Tell me about your job, your worries, your kids, your fur babies. I want you to continue sharing your life with me. Come over and laugh with me or at me. I don’t care. Just hearing you laugh is music to me. I spent the better part of my life raising you the best way I knew how and I’m not bragging but I did a pretty good job. (look at you) Now, give me time to set back and admire you. I’m pretty proud of you. Continue to come and raid my refrigerator, help yourself, I really don’t mind. In fact, I wouldn’t want it any other way. I want you to spend your money this Christmas making a better life for you and your family. I have the things I need and that is to see you happy and healthy. When you ask me what I want for Christmas and I say “nothing” that’s because you have already given me my gift all year. My gift was you.
This year as I was typing this I had other thoughts that came to mind. I want to add that most of all I want you to have a relationship with the LORD. I want you to seek HIS direction and follow HIS path and plans that HE has for you. I sincerely want you to always know that no matter where you are ~ whether it be 6 – 7 hours away in Alabama or literally across the world in Africa that I cherish you. I will always love you and distance can never change that you make me proud. I wish my children were here to drop in, set and just talk or watch TV beside me.
Although Christmas is dreadfully different for me this year, it has changed me for the good. I have realized that those little things really do count. Those little traditions that we have always done as a family whether they seemed goofy or not now mean so much. (matching pj’s, volunteering on Christmas Eve at the homeless shelter, color coordinated wrapping paper, 25 days of Christmas, watching Anna Bell’s Wish with your Nanny, continual movie of “The Christmas Story” rolling on the TV, sighing/crying and just smiling over Hallmark movies, the family dinner always set the Sunday before Christmas at 2:00, buying your individual Christmas card from me, each of you having your yearly ornament, watching you fight over the cute/ugly homemade ornaments from the past, buying sparkling white grape juice and thick bacon for Christmas morning breakfast, the real live tree in the front room, the snowman explosion/throw up all over the back living room, Papa reading the Christmas story before presents on Christmas Eve night….OH the many memories and traditions that flood my heart as I set here and reflect. This year I hope that all of you don’t take for granted your Christmas traditions that may not seem significant but trust me they are when you are missing one or many during this season.
I again go back to the beautiful true reason and meaning of Christmas and I am so thankful that no matter how alone I may feel on this day especially this year, that my heart can be full of JOY for what it truly means.
Wishing you all a glorious meaningful Christmas and wishing my babies that as they look up at the sun, moon or stars that day/night that they know we are all looking at the same beautiful creation from our LORD. I hope it reminds each of you that your Mama loves you but Christ loves you more!!
Blessings,
Debbie (Niki’s mom)
