I recently came across a post on social media that struck a cord with me.
The post stated something about how if you are an adult who believes in Christmas magic, you need to thank the parents who loved you enough to raise you with those joyful feelings, and basically for instilling that feeling of magic deep within you.
I am paraphrasing, as I don’t have the actual post in front of me as I write this, but I genuinely felt the need to reshare it with my family. I wasn’t surprised when later in the afternoon my mom pointed out how true that sentiment is.
My sister and I grew up not wanting for anything. Our family was not rich, but our parents provided for us in such a way that we never wanted for anything.
Christmas Day was a joyful family experience that started the minute we woke up, and ended with naps in late afternoon.
We weren’t allowed to open our gifts until everyone was up, but we were allowed to take our stockings back to our bedroom and go through them all. I have great memories of my sister, Becky, and I sitting in our doorways, across from each other, and comparing our stockings and whispering about what we hoped we got from our quick peek under the tree.
When the unwrapping came, we usually took turns so everyone could see what everyone got and best of all see the joy on their faces.
Most of my memories at this point are triggered through nostalgic items I can still find around our house. The little, skinny, orange plastic cups that we used to drink out of while sitting on the floor with our TV trays in front of us and Saturday morning cartoons playing in the background, until the clock struck 10 AM and we were allowed to play outside. This is just one small memory that always captures my heart for its simplicity.
Now that I am a grown woman, who shares a home with her parents, I am constantly bombarded by such memories, and the holidays are a particularly poignant time of year. We still have the nativity my sister and I played with as children under the tree, and now I watch as my sister’s grandchildren play with that same nativity. The honor of being here to witness it is not lost on me.
With everyday bringing us closer to our family’s holiday party, and of course, Christmas Day, I am reminded of those memories and find myself daydreaming about the magic that goes on behind the scenes to make such a time so special.
The act of giving to those I love and care about gives me goosebumps - more so than the act of receiving. Although, I know I am grateful for any who thought of me when out shopping this season - but truly the best part of the season is the build up of magic - to that special day - when Santa arrives, and I want to publicly thank my mom and dad for their part in making my holiday so special over the years.
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