During this time of year I always remember Christmas at our home on Woodland Ave. Back then I was just a kid and so was Kim. Our parents were married and happy except for that one Christmas (but that's another blog). They hadn't gone through their divorce. The brain tumor that would dibilitate my dad hadn't happened yet and the stroke that would disable both my parents wasn't even on our radar. At that time my parents were in great health, enjoying the season with their girls. I have such fond memories of those times and I'm forever grateful to my parents. When I reflect on my dad he was always the best at Christmas and on vacation. I miss him the most at Christmas time. He just made everything fun. Every Christmas morning Kim and I would wait with anticipation at the top of the stairs while dad made his way downstairs first to ensure Santa had indeed been at our house. We'd attend Christmas eve service at our church, not knowing that one day there would be a Christmas eve service that we'd walk out of in tears because Kim, mom and I couldn't get through the service without dad (after their divorce).
My boys are now 23 and 19. Christmas doesn't look the same as it did when they were kids but that's okay. It doesn't make our time together any less special. My prayer is that one day when Jay and Nick are in their fifties they too will reflect on their childhood Christmas' with fondness. We had some stressful times but I can laugh about it now. There was the Christmas our basement flooded. The Christmas where we got a TON of snow and Mike had to spend the entire morning plowing snow because we were hosting that year. There was also the Christmas Jay got sick (2007) and barfed all over. All of those memories are pretty typical for most families.
I'm so grateful for parents who loved me, who ensured my childhood Christmas' were special. I'm thankful for my precious boys so that I could experience Christmas through their eyes. This season of my life may look different but it doesn't make it less special.
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