and so it's over....

Christmas this year kind of came and went. Yes we had some family time, opening presents etc...but one thing was noticeably missing. I don't think one time anyone even mentioned the real reason for why we celebrate Christmas. Of course we attend church regularly and yes it is a focus there, but in terms of family celebration we didn't even pray this year :(

Christmas hasn't always been happy in my life. Year after year my mom would say 'it's going to be a small Christmas this year." Not that is really matters the "things" you get but just that phrase takes some of the magic out of it for a child.

My Grandmother passed away Christmas day 16 years ago. I will never forget that. The last time I saw her she was ill and I was too scared to sit with her and say goodbye. My Grandmother was a lovely woman. She gave me Angel Tea and biscuits. I wish I had had more time to know her.

Christmas Eve 6 years ago my father suffered a heart attack, another day etched in my memory. He was absolutely sure his time on this earth was over. As the only surviving sibling, he was sure his life expectancy would be into his sixties like his siblings and father. I remember frantically trying to do some telephone banking at his request, sitting in the waiting room with "Christmas Vacation" on the tv, getting lost in the Labour department trying to find my way to the CCU.

Luckily my father survived. He has been healthy since, changing his lifestyle, losing weight, eating better. But I will never forget that day and the weeks that followed. It is always in the back of my head.

I noticed on Christmas day he seemed to not be feeling well. All those memories resurfaced. I called to check in yesterday. I was right he was not feeling well....thankfully just a cold.

I am quite sure that as Brennan grows Christmas will change. I can't wait to see the excitement in his face when we put up the tree, see Santa, celebrate the Christmas Story, and of course sharing gifts. Brennan did enjoy most of his new gifts....although all the books I bought him were not top on his list of things to play with.

Dh got me tickets to see a Christian group that I really like. I am excited to see them. It will be my first concert....lol....besides musicals, oratorio's, and opera's....not sure why he bought me 3 tickets....he doesn't even want to go!

Well onwards to the new year...

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!