Another Christmas has come and gone.

Buckaroo just headed off to bed.  We had a wonderful Christmas Day together, but now I’m taking a little time to reflect on the years gone by.  As the ghosts of Christmases past surround me, I don’t fear their presence.  Instead I am basking in the warm glow of the memories they bring.  I remember the people and places, the sites and the smells, the presents and the food (lots and lots of food!), but most of all I remember all the love.

Tonight I’d like to raise a cup of Christmas cheer in remembrance of those who have gone before that gave me these, my most treasured memories:

• To my Uncle Buzz, who I was a little scared of as a kid, but only because I didn’t know you very well.  You and my aunt had all of us relatives over to your house to celebrate every Christmas Eve once my grandmother could no longer do it.
• To my Uncle Ed, who used to always call the man with the bag "Santy Claus."  You were a kind man, and you always went out of your way to get me to smile.
• To my paternal Grandmother, whose husband (my grandfather) died several years before I was born.  I never realized how lonely you must have been without him all of those years, and yet you never felt sorry for yourself.  You had such a generous heart, not just at Christmas, but all through the year.  You were always glad to see me, and the love you showed I still carry with me to this day.
• To my maternal Grandmother and Grandfather, who are in some of my earliest memories.  You were a big part of my life as a young child.  I remember those Sunday drives to your house and the anticipation of the wonderful meals you would cook for us.  You taught me the importance of family.  Holidays were special because of you.
• To the pets I’ve had- Taffy, Snoopy (George), and Sasha, I always considered you part of the family because you brought me so much joy.

But most of all,

• To my Dad, who I still miss every single day of my life.  Despite losing you over seven years ago, it seems like just yesterday when I still had you to rely on, to help me when I was in trouble, and to give me love even when I didn’t return it.  You worked so hard to give us children a better life, and you sacrificed of yourself so freely.  You taught me to be kind and caring to others, not only at Christmas, but all year long.  Though it must have been tough making ends meet, I was never left to lack anything at Christmas or any other time.  You showed me what giving really is, and I’ll always be grateful for that.

And to all my far-flung cousins, aunts and an uncle, my brother, my sister and her family, and my mom, though I may not see you as often as I’d like, I want to thank you for being a very special part of my many Christmases past.  Here’s to you all!

"Up in the attic,
Down on my knees.
Lifetimes of boxes,
Timeless to me.
Letters and photographs,
Yellowed with years,
Some bringing laughter,
Some bringing tears.

Time never changes,
The memories, the faces
Of loved ones, who bring to me,
All that I come from,
And all that I live for,
And all that I’m going to be.
My precious family
Is more than an heirloom to me."

-Amy Grant, "Heirlooms"

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.