The day is dawning, I sit in the semi-dark having coffee enjoying quiet and looking at the tree with all the ornaments we've collected over the years and remembering. Remembering how every year I'm up before everyone else, stuffing stockings, and taking time to enjoy a little respite from all the hustle and bustle of preparing for this day. I remember our family from days gone by, excited little early birds dressed in special jammies waiting at the top of the stairs so the video camera can be prepared before they descend to see what treasures await! Packing dozens of gifts in our van and heading to another town to have special breakfast with one family and then breaking neck to get to dinner with another. Although some family traditions remain, those days of having children here anticipating the day and running around like crazy are gone. Our family is grown and making traditions of their own and it's hard, hard to let go of what used to be, the way we used to do Christmas.
This Christmas is the beginning for one daughter's family, the beginning of their own family traditions with a little one! Traditions that include running hither, thither, making sure everyone gets to visit with the babies and share in the joy that awaits as they open their first Christmas present from the grandparents! Deciding who will spend time where and what time we'll eat and when are we doing presents with these...and on it goes when your family is young.
Not so after the kids are grown...it's different...very different. And, as I'm realizing a little at a time and rather slowly, it's time for intentionally preparing new traditions here as well. Not sure what those will be, still in the thinking process. But I'm mentally preparing myself and pushing myself forward...dragging my feet a little, I must admit, but time is moving forward. I can move along with it and enjoy and change OR I can be dragged behind and struggle and kick and be miserable. I chose the former!
Remembering Christmas past, Christmas present and Christmas future....looking forward with anticipation to what 2012 will bring for our family!
No comments:
Post a Comment