Christmas Traditions

Christmas time is for family and traditions.  It's really for children.  It's seeing their faces light up on Christmas morning when they see all the presents under the tree or seeing them struggle with their lines in the Christmas Pageant at church.  It's hearing them sing all the wrong words to the Christmas carols and hymns.  It's listening to the sound of feet pitter pattering down the hall and hearing the screams of delight when they realize Santa came. It's the licking the spoon after candy making.  It's the hugs and laughter and joy from children that make Christmas so worth it. 
When I was a little girl my Daddy and I would go out into the woods a few weeks before Christmas on his horse to find the perfect Christmas tree.  Granted we were just looking for a old cedar tree that God happened to shape like a Christmas tree, but to me we were finding a treasure.  We'd look and look and I'd usually find all the trees that were growing up between a fence row - for some reason they were always the prettiest. Then I would ask my Daddy why didn't they make that fence go around the tree, and he'd explain that the fence was there first and the tree grew up into the fence.  Now that really blew my 5 year old mind.  Then, we'd have a very long conversation about how birds eat seeds and then sit on a fence and poop.  Lovely Christmas tree finding conversation.  Finally after some searching and more than likely me complaining about my booter being tired from sitting on the saddle and hungry and cold, we'd find the perfect tree.  We (meaning he) would saw it down then we (meaning he) would tie a rope around the trunk and we'd drag the tree home.  At that moment when we lit that tree up, it was just as beautiful as the tree that graces Rockefeller Center.  It was our tree, one that we were proud of, one we made memories with, one we started a tradition with. 
This Christmas we are continuing our traditions, not the Christmas tree one, but all the others that we have established over the years.  We will make candy on Christmas eve, read the Christmas story, eat and laugh on Christmas day, and make my wiener dog wear the reindeer antlers.  We are blessed enough to be able to do it with rejoicing hearts this year.  Sometimes I  imagine what life would be like if Heath hadn't made it, and I shudder at the mere thought, but Christmas time would be the worst.  My heart aches for the families that are without their loved ones this Christmas.  The only peace I can think they will find is remembering past Christmas's and the love that was shared then.  If you are blessed enough this Christmas to be with your loved ones - start a new Christmas tradition - don't wait for next year or for a near death experience to realize you need to love what is here in the present.  Begin a tradition that will carry on for years to come.  Even if it's as simple as riding in the woods to find love and make memories. 

From our family to yours - Merry Christmas!

'Til Tomorrow