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The Best Holidays Ever

December 19, 2009 by  
Filed under Creating Happiness, Recent Posts

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santa ornaments 300x225 The Best Holidays EverI wonder why it sometimes takes me so long to understand things.  Each year as I take out the ornaments and decorate the tree, my mind wanders to the holidays of the past and all of the memories of Christmases past.  I keep trying to hold on to all of the traditions of those times and going home to be with my family, as always, hoping for a good snowfall to make the shopping just a little more festive.  And this year was no exception, until today, when I realized that nothing in my life is the same as it was back then so how do I expect that I can recreate those memories?  And why do I want to do so?

In those days, I celebrated with my grandparents, my parents, my sister and her husband and daughter and my brother and his wife.  This year my sister and her husband are in Holland for the holidays visiting their daughter who lives there now in the home country of her father, my sister-in-law is in PA with her mother and all others have passed away.  Those memories were all created on the East Coast and here I am living on the West Coast.  And while all of those memories are pretty exceptionally great, they are just that – memories.

I have never been one to live in the past.  The past is something that is over and done and can’t be changed but today is my opportunity to create something special and new and to figure out how to make tomorrow even better.  So it should be for today and this holiday season as well.  If I spend all of my time thinking about past memories, I can’t possibly create new ones that are special and memorable for this year.

Therefore, I have officially put all of my memories where they belong, in the past, and I am creating a new and wonderful set of holiday memories for today and every day.  I want to spend the time doing things and/or just being with my husband.  I want to share a bit of the holidays with my special friends. I want each and every gift that I pick to be special for the recipient and I want to enjoy the beautiful weather and surroundings that I have in my life.

Most of all, I want to remember what the holidays truly represent and make the most of the sentiments that are shared.  So what will happen if I can’t find the perfect presents or don’t have all of the perfect decorations or have some people around me who don’t have any holiday spirit?  It really doesn’t matter.  I have a wonderful life, a wonderful husband, some very special friends, a good job and food and clothing and shelter.  I don’t need presents, etc. just because it is Christmas.  I have everything I need and want already in my life and the only thing that I want more this holiday season is to be able to share with others who need my help.  I want to be able to give to others and to make a difference in the lives of others.  And as far as I can see, that is what the holiday season is truly all about.

What does the holiday season mean to you? COMMENTS

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  • Mandi

    While it’s true that we shouldn’t live in the past, there are past memories that are just special and should be remembered. Sure you can make new memories ~ because life changes and it can’t be the same as it was before.

    My childhood memories are not remembered fondly. So my sweet memories of past Christmases come from being a mom. I loved creating fond memories for my children. I lived for giving them exactly what they wanted and making them happy. That was a gift that I really enjoyed ~ giving to them. I bought those Hallmark ornaments every year for each person. We have over 20 years of those ornaments. Turns out I was the only one that enjoyed that….but one day they will treasure those keepsakes. One day. No matter ~ it was fun when they were little. They DID enjoy putting their own special ornaments on the tree. We also made cookies for Santa every Christmas Eve. We have done that every year except for this past year. My kids decided that they were too old at 17 and 21 to make them. I love to look back on those memories ~ while creating new memories for the future. My kids still love my Christmas fudge no matter what. So I will make that this year. For the past few years, my Sunday school class has had a big Christmas party for some inner city kids. I have enjoyed shopping for the little kids again ~ since my kids are older. I love watching the kids open their presents. It brings them such joy. Plus these kids will only be getting one present every year. It is a wonderful new tradition. We aren’t just dropping off the gifts for them. We are involved in their party and do face painting and games. It’s a wonderful tradition. That’s what Chrismtas is to me. The old memories along with the new memories.

    Thanks for sharing Barbara! You are giving so much of yourself and it is truly appreciated!!

    • http://LetLifeHappen.com Barbara Jacoby

      Thank YOU, Mandi for sharing yourself with those little children who wouldn’t have a Christmas if it wasn’t for you and the others like you who care. And thank you for sharing your memories and traditions with all of us. The thing that I had to realize is that I can’t recreate those memories each year but that doesn’t mean that I can’t remember them and cherish them for what they are. I hope that you and your family have the best Christmas ever.