Childhood Christmases

 Something that has come to my attention with the Christmas holidays approaching is that I've always had family to celebrate such holidays with. I guess you could say I'm thankful, and that I've been blessed to have a family who supports and sticks by me through it all. I got to thinking earlier about how my granny is probably one person who has been a very big influence in my life, and she's the glue that holds all of us together. Every holiday, we go to granny's. Every year, we celebrate Easter, birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and much more together. There's always a big meal to pair with our celebrations, and many of the days spent with my family as a child are some of my favorite memories.
I am sure that many people are the same way, with their family being some of their most valuable memories. It's fun to see my younger cousins now, who are kids of the cousins that I grew up with, and how they are treated with the same love, guidance, and discipline that I had growing up. The majority of my cousins who I spent my childhood with are now older than 15, but I still feel like the memories linger when we are all together. Family is what keeps me going, and being a part of such a large family is a part of me that I don't ever want to let go of. I enjoy having everyone together, and I like spending time with my family who I cherish more than anything. I can't wait to have a family of my own someday, and celebrate and share the same love that I was given to share.
If I am ever asked about my childhood christmases, these are the things that come to mind. I loved catching up with my family and enjoying their company. At my Granny's there's always a spread of food on Christmas Eve, filled with finger foods and desserts galore. I'm talking like 3-4 tables full. After we eat, there's always PRESENTS! Half the room is always taken over with presents. Then, we take about 2 or so hours to open them one-at-a-time. Yep. It's tradition, though. At my boyfriend's house, every person gets their presents and opens them as soon as they get them. No one waits. It's chaos, and you don't get to see if someone likes what you got them...especially the little kids. When it's over, I'm like, "soo....that's it?" I'm not saying that's a bad thing, I just wouldn't want my family to be that way. It's fun to build up that excitement and make the older ones antsy because they have to wait till last. After presents, some stay around to talk and clean up, while others pack up their cars and take to-go plates to eat later. After saying our goodbyes, it gets super quiet, and we're usually the last ones to leave from Granny's. We don't have that far to go, anyway. Then, starts another year of waiting for the thrills of Christmas again. I'll hate celebrating Christmas without everyone around in the future. My childhood Christmases made me love the holiday, and I've always credited my family for making it fun.

Now that I've gotten older, I see a lot has changed in my family. I now notice differences in interests and how we get along. Family is and isn't the same for me as it was when I was younger. There are still the same people present, the same love is still shared, but it's like we've all forgotten how to receive and appreciate it. I don't get to see the same cousins year-round anymore, except 3 or 4 times a year, and that only lasts less than 2 hours at a time. It's like we've all let life, our jobs, friends and football get in the way of the time we have to spend with our family. However, family as you now know it won't be there for the rest of your life. We used to get together every Sunday for lunch at Granny's, and a handful of us still do, but it's not the same. What I guess I'm trying to say is that I think what has happened is some kind of disjointedness that has entered our family, and we're not sure how to work it out. I can't stand brothers and sisters and aunts and uncles and cousins all having their own little "tiffs" with one another, and then bringing that to Granny's for the holidays. Way to kill the holiday spirit. Why can't we just make amends and get along and enjoy one another's company?? I know you're probably like, "Well, it's not that simple." However, I'm a young adult, now. I've had several experiences in which I have had my rough patches with others, but it always eats away at me when our relationship's not right. Being the one to start the conversation or taking the first step makes me feel better, and it makes it easier. It really is that simple. The longer you wait, the more bitter and sour your heart and attitude grows because you let that opinion or thought against that person culminate in your mind. FORGET IT. We're not here forever, people. Enjoy your family while it lasts. Let's be a good GREAT, example for the younger generations of our family. Let's offer them the same love, guidance, and joy that I know our family shared when I was younger. If we don't start now, it'll be too late. So, make that your new year's resolution, or promise yourself to make amends with someone who you're having trouble with. It's the only way we'll get outta this rut, and I think that our family just needs love again. We lost it somewhere. I just don't know where and when that happened.

I wish Christmas was like my older Christmases. The ones I'll cherish forever.

Merry Christmas!
WA