The Holidays are approaching...

WoW..How hard is it to believe how quickly the holidays are approaching! Here I was this morning, writing about how the leaves were still green and the flowers still blooming..and then BAMM! It seemed like every time I turned around I saw and heard something on TV about getting ready for the holidays! I was looking for something (and completely forgot what it was) when I stumbled upon a box of old Christmas cards and ribbons. Which reminded me that the other day when we stopped at Walmart for dog food, the shelves were already being filled with everything Christmas! I think we just passed right over fall and Thanksgiving and went straight for Christmas!

I have many fond memories of Christmas as a child. All the gifts under the tree we cut down ourselves (ok..maybe we didn't really cut it..but it was in a lot where SOMEONE cut it! LOL). We opened our gifts on Christmas eve..every year, right after Midnight Mass. And the best Christmases were when it snowed! We lived in a small town, and I remember so vividly, cracking the window just a bit above my bed, just enough to smell the crisp winter air and to hear the Christmas music playing on the speakers in town. (((sigh)))...what a simple, wonderful time. It seems like yesterday..but at the same time a hundred years ago.

I always thought I'd carry on the traditions with my children. But, times change and life gets in the way. We struggled to keep food on the table and the bills paid. There was never that tradition of ALWAYS opening presents on Christmas Eve because we never knew if Mom & Dad had to work..if we worked the same shift that day or if one of us was on seconds and one on midnights. I could count on one hand the holidays I DIDN'T work as apposed to the ones I did! But you know what..my kids are ok..regardless of which day we opened presents! Traditions are a wonderful thing..but maybe not having them is a tradition, all in itself!

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday...I remember being teased growing up because I played Christmas music in August! lol I still do sometimes. But Christmas changed for me and my siblings two years ago. Very early Christmas morning in 2006, my sister and I sat beside my mother's bedside as she passed away. It was a tough day that Christmas. And we were still grieving the loss of my brother, who passed away on Halloween the same year. Just as dawn was breaking, after the funeral director had come and gone, I sat at the table with my older sister and brother and said to them...I knew she was waiting for Christmas..and to go on such a blessed day...well, what a blessing for her. Our gift that day was knowing that our mother was no longer in such horrible pain, and knowing that she was united with our father and brother. I prefer to look upon that day, as a blessing. So, Christmas holds even more meaning to us now. The picture above is the last photo of myself and my Mama together....she was rarely without a smile.

I do miss the days of all of us together...the kids are all grown and live 1000 miles away. It's tough for everyone to make plans to travel..us there..or them here. So some Christmases, we have to make due with mailed gifts and lots of phone calls. But either way..together or not..we're always together in spirit. This year, I've decided to make a special gift for each of the girls. (did I mention we have 4?) I haven't decided what it will be yet..(any and all suggestions are welcome! lol) but, as I said, the holidays are approaching..so I better get busy!