Every family has their own traditions. My family is no different. Christmas time was always a time of good cheer. Surrounded by family, friends, in-laws, out-laws, and friends that felt like family, all was right with the world. With the passing of my step-mom, who I consider my mommy, life just hasn’t been the same.
The days leading up to Christmas Day were filled with excitement and anticipation. Not anticipation of what gifts I would receive but, that of seeing the joy on my children’s faces as they opened their gifts or sat down to a wonderful Christmas dinner.
Our traditional Christmas Eve was spent sitting in my in-laws living room surrounded by friends and family opening our stockings. Whether it was chapstick, hair ties, cute Christmas pins, or lottery tickets in our stockings, it was a time that filled my heart with joy. We spent hours laughing, drinking home-made egg nog, noshing on cheese and crackers, and enjoying our family. My ex-husband and I would then go to my Aunt Linda’s house with the children. Dividing our time between different family members was exhausting but, it was the best time in my life.
Christmas day was always special. The children would wake up and come downstairs to find Grandma already in the kitchen with her cup of coffee and a warm smile on her face ready to give great big hugs to all the kids. Meanwhile, upstairs, my ex-husband and I were praying for just one more minute of sleep. But, of course, the excitement overtook us and we couldn’t resist joining the kids. We would stumble downstairs and greet everyone with a “Merry Christmas” and mom(my mother-in-law) would shuffle us out to the kitchen for our first cup of coffee.
Then, Grandma would take the kids into Pop-Pop’s room to roust him out of bed. Sending the kids in was a sure way to accomplish this task. Once we were all settled in the living room, presents were passed around, wrapping paper became the new rug, and smiles were abundant in our little house. Later, my father, whom lived across the street, and mommy would come over with my sister and the whole day started all over again.
Now, my children go to their father’s for the holidays without me. This is a very special time for them and their father. I’m very happy that they get to spend time with their dad. I just hope that they cherish it while they still have the time. Their dad is an amazing father whom now has a wonderful wife and new baby. The kids have learned a new Christmas tradition with their dad and his wife. It will be their time to remember.
My time to remember has already come and gone. I will always remember even if I can’t experience it anymore. My mom was the backbone of the family. She had the strength and wisdom of 1000 people. You could say that she was an army all by herself. She could delegate chores and get things done with such finesse that no-one else ever could. I will never forget our holiday traditions. Time changes everything and I’m longing for Christmas past.
