This Christmas

This is a Christmas of firsts for me and my family. This is the first Christmas in my fathers’ new house. This is the first year that my oldest knows who Santa is and what is supposed to happen on Christmas morning. I am looking forward to Christmas morning, just to see the look on my children’s faces when they see their new toys. Also to see the look on my fathers’ face as he watches him open their gifts. He’s gone through sort of a transformation over the years. He was once the strict disciplinarian, now when he’s around his grandchildren, he’s this soft push-over that gives in to their every wish. In a way it’s odd….I wish he had been more care-free with me and my sister, but we don’t know everything that he was going through when we were younger.

I have a few Christmas wishes that I’d like Santa to leave for me and the people that I love the most. I wish for peace and prosperity. I wish for understanding and wisdom. I wish for happiness and love. I wish for forgiveness and serenity. I wish for laughter and joy. I wish for dreams to come true. I wish for everyone in my life to spend each day to the fullest and to never let anyone steal their joy. During this time of year, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the superficial aspect of Christmas – new sweaters, watches, shoes, DVD players, and toys – but those don’t mean anything if you’re not truly happy within. I’m sure we can all think of things that we all would want, but what do we really need? Spending time with your children, time with your family and friends; talking and laughing about old times that were shared are some of my favorite things to do.

I encourage everyone to take time this Holiday season to tell people how you really feel to have them in your life. So many times people never know how much they mean to someone else or how they’ve impacted your life.

Merry Christmas everyone!!