Yes, I said Merry Christmas!
And to my friends who may not celebrate Christmas as such, the sentiment is still there stronger than ever for your traditional religious beliefs!
I'm in uncharted territory--celebrating Christmas from start to finish without Mom. Fortunately, I am not alone. But still, nothing I will do today will be like I've ever done it before!
I can not even imagine NOT celebrating Christmas. Yet, recently I saw Medium John Edwards talk about how, after a great tragedy or death of a loved one, many stop celebrating holidays, events, birthdays. Wow! I'm not like that. I must carry on the tradition and try harder to remember our loved ones, especially during these cherished times.
What WILL BE the same is singing all the Christmas Masses.
What's not the same is having a later dinner which leaves time for a little more baking! Gonna attempt to make our 'fruit pastry.' That's not what it's called but honestly, I could not spell it if my life depended on it! Basically it's dough filled with raisins and mincemeat topped with home made frosting baked golden brown! YUM!
Will mine taste like Mom's? That's been the question this whole holiday season!
I must say, even if it does not taste exactly the same, the fact that I have been able to pull together St. Nick, all of our baking, wrapping the gifts Mom already bought, and do everything else has been handled with the assistance of MOM. When I feel like I can't do something, somehow it all comes together!!!!
We decided this year to get gifts for everyone --whomever can afford it.
Honestly, Mom and I were a lot alike in many ways but buying gifts for people was a big one. If we saw something that reminded us of someone to a tee, we'd buy it even if it were February!!
I know some folks may feel bad if they can not give out gifts, but I don't care! One of the greatest joys for me (always has been) is picking 'the perfect' gift, giving it to someone I love and ultimately watching them open it. The look on their face is priceless!! I'd rather experience that feeling over and over again than getting all the gifts in the world.
Giving out the gifts Mom bought for everyone will be interesting. She bought everyone at least one gift already...
Well, there's not much more I can say. I know all of us will cherish spending the day with each other. We always have fun, laugh, and eat a delicious meal on Christmas. And over the last few years the Cleveland Cavaliers have been in the spotlight making our day even more enjoyable!
The day will not be the same without the Matriarch of the family physically with us but we must move forward.
I still can not believe that just over two months ago, Mom was still alive and I was talking with her and holding her hand. I can't believe the amazing trips we took this year and Mom's 80th birthday celebration. And with the stop of her heartbeat, it was all gone.
Blows my mind. I will never ever get over this life-changing event. I think all of us know Mom is still with us. She comes through to me, at least in someway, every single day--either through a song, a phrase someone else says that is totally Mom, words spewing out of my mouth that I would not say, or just helping me solve a problem that normally would not get solved.
And again, what will help me get through this holy day is knowing that Mom IS celebrating Christmas with us and more importantly with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
And to my friends who may not celebrate Christmas as such, the sentiment is still there stronger than ever for your traditional religious beliefs!
I'm in uncharted territory--celebrating Christmas from start to finish without Mom. Fortunately, I am not alone. But still, nothing I will do today will be like I've ever done it before!
I can not even imagine NOT celebrating Christmas. Yet, recently I saw Medium John Edwards talk about how, after a great tragedy or death of a loved one, many stop celebrating holidays, events, birthdays. Wow! I'm not like that. I must carry on the tradition and try harder to remember our loved ones, especially during these cherished times.
What WILL BE the same is singing all the Christmas Masses.
What's not the same is having a later dinner which leaves time for a little more baking! Gonna attempt to make our 'fruit pastry.' That's not what it's called but honestly, I could not spell it if my life depended on it! Basically it's dough filled with raisins and mincemeat topped with home made frosting baked golden brown! YUM!
Will mine taste like Mom's? That's been the question this whole holiday season!
I must say, even if it does not taste exactly the same, the fact that I have been able to pull together St. Nick, all of our baking, wrapping the gifts Mom already bought, and do everything else has been handled with the assistance of MOM. When I feel like I can't do something, somehow it all comes together!!!!
We decided this year to get gifts for everyone --whomever can afford it.
Honestly, Mom and I were a lot alike in many ways but buying gifts for people was a big one. If we saw something that reminded us of someone to a tee, we'd buy it even if it were February!!
I know some folks may feel bad if they can not give out gifts, but I don't care! One of the greatest joys for me (always has been) is picking 'the perfect' gift, giving it to someone I love and ultimately watching them open it. The look on their face is priceless!! I'd rather experience that feeling over and over again than getting all the gifts in the world.
Giving out the gifts Mom bought for everyone will be interesting. She bought everyone at least one gift already...
Well, there's not much more I can say. I know all of us will cherish spending the day with each other. We always have fun, laugh, and eat a delicious meal on Christmas. And over the last few years the Cleveland Cavaliers have been in the spotlight making our day even more enjoyable!
The day will not be the same without the Matriarch of the family physically with us but we must move forward.
I still can not believe that just over two months ago, Mom was still alive and I was talking with her and holding her hand. I can't believe the amazing trips we took this year and Mom's 80th birthday celebration. And with the stop of her heartbeat, it was all gone.
Blows my mind. I will never ever get over this life-changing event. I think all of us know Mom is still with us. She comes through to me, at least in someway, every single day--either through a song, a phrase someone else says that is totally Mom, words spewing out of my mouth that I would not say, or just helping me solve a problem that normally would not get solved.
And again, what will help me get through this holy day is knowing that Mom IS celebrating Christmas with us and more importantly with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!
No comments:
Post a Comment