Christmas Eve

It hardly seems like a typical Christmas eve.  The grass

is green, it's been raining and it's warm.  Warm!!

So I'm not complaining. No tree; I got rid of that

last year and there really seems to be no need for it anyway.

Christmas eve has always been special to me, 

moreso than Christmas day.  Every Christmas 

eve we would go to my Uncle Chuck's and he had

a huge party/reunion.  I can remember

the crunch of snow under my feet

and all the colorful lights on the streets. 

The air was so crisp.  In those days

it didn't bother me like it does now.  

In his living room was a HUGE Christmas tree.  

At least it seemed like a huge tree to me.

In the basement he had a bar. There was  lots of

noise, cigarette smoke and drinking.

I got my first taste of alcohol at

one of those parties!  My grandma Sanders

called me over and gave me a sip of hers.  I don't 

know what it was, but it didn't seem so bad.  I was

probably 10 or so.  It wasn't  something I would 

have continued, but it tasted OK.  Then she 

told me I could put water in a bottle after I drank

some and it would mix in.  Thanks, Grandma!  I filed 

that away.  Eventually I  tried it with wine my dad was

 making at home.  Busted. I came home from school one

day and he was holding the jug up to the window.

He must have seen me in the window.  He sighed

and said, "Either my wine has gone bad or

someone has been watering it."  I said, "Grandma

told me to!"  I don't think she meant every day...
I was so cool coming home from school

and having some wine and my cigarette (that I didn't

inhale!)    Well, that's a story

for another time.  He actually didn't get

mad, which was a miracle for him .  How

did I get so off track?  So I've always loved 

Christmas eve.  When my kids were

older I would always let them open one

present on Christmas eve-I got to

pick which one.  We would have cheese

and crackers I ordered from the Swiss colony catalogue.

When John and I got married I started a tradition

of having the whole family (both sides) to dinner

on Christmas eve.  It was a wonderful evening of

sharing and just enjoying each other's company.

I wish I could go back to that day but so many

are gone now, either Home to Jesus or just across the 

country.  On Christmas day, starting when my oldest, Nathan, 

was only 8 months old, I started reading the Christmas 

story before any presents were opened. 

 I wanted them to understand that Christmas was 

so much more than presents  to open in the morning.

I'm glad I have those memories to bring out

when I'm feeling sad.  Memories of a more

carefree and happy time when there just

didn't seem to be the pain that comes when

you get older.    But life is not stagnant.

If it were, there would be no point.

We have to continue to grow and experience

all life has to offer.

I do have a card if you are not bored to

tears by now and skip it altogether!  This is just

a simple black and white die cut card.  I'm shocked

that I was able to get it centered perfectly

on the first try!  I can't draw a straight

line with a ruler generally!

Still no baby.  Obviously her body just isn't
ready yet.  I'm not sure why they insist on
pushing things when mother nature will
take care of it on her own if just left
well enough alone.  When I had my babies
I didn't know what they were before they
were here and I gave birth when my body
told me it was time.  Everyone is in
such a hurry these days.  Life is meant
to be enjoyed and you can't enjoy
it if you are rushing through it.
Wow, I'm quite philosophical today.
I'd better quit while I'm ahead!!