I was talking with a friend the other day and we agreed that we knew we had become adults when christmas stopped being about presents and started being about togetherness.
I can't even tell you the comfort and magic there is for me in just going home for the holidays.
My mom can be moved to tears remembering the christmas after my sister was born when money was really tight and there wasn't much under the tree. I was five or so and I couldn't tell you a single gift I got that year.
Because what I remember is stringing christmas lights on the tree and making cookies and watching charlie brown christmas on TV and listening to carols. Important stuff. Not what doll I did or didn't get.
I live a few hours away from my parents now so I am not usually around to help them with their tree or make cookies but coming home is coming back into those warm memories and adding more.
Even the great puke fest of last year was done in a place that was warm and safe and surrounded in love. It was miserable..don't get me wrong..but it didn't ruin christmas for me (not that I want to repeat that. EVER.).
As long as I was home, I knew everything was going to be okay.
And I think that, more than anything else, is testament to the love and care my parents put into making home matter-even when home changed frequently in childhood.
I hope your own celebrations were surrounded in warmth...
6 comments:
awwww Brandi, what beautiful post.
I hope my kid grows up with warm heartfelt memories like you have.
Kudos to your parents & Happy Holidays!!!
:)
boho-I feel confident that she will-you make her and your time together your number one priority :-)
I hope you had a lovely Christmas this year Brandi and you're right, it's not the presents that matter it's the presence. One of the few times in the year when my entire family is reunited. It's special . .wish we could hold that moment a little longer frankly.
Happy Holidays Brandi! Glad you had a good time. : )
baino-I wish the magic of christmas would last a little longer too...I totally understand.
anali-happy holidays to you too!!! Hope it was a restful and lovely one...
What a lovely post, brandi. I hadn't thought of it that way, but the holidays truly are about being with family for me. The gifts are sort of incidental to the whole shebang :) Certainly, I couldn't have said that as a child, or even a young teen, you're right.
And Happy New Year!
Post a Comment