Reflecting on the Joy of Christmas

I love the week between Christmas and New Years Day.

Now, don't get me wrong. I enjoy the days leading up to Christmas and being with family and friends, singing "Oh Holy Night" and "Away in the Manger", and reflecting on Jesus, the reason for the season. But the ticking clock leading up to the 25th can get the best of us, sometimes.

When all the presents are opened and everyone has gone home, I enjoy just tidying up and getting things back to normal. I'm sitting here typing this out with my tree half undecorated, a cup of coffee at my fingertips as the sun goes down and the sky turns blue gray.

It's nice. Quiet. Relaxing. Peaceful.

But you know what makes this week so special? Reflecting on all the wonderful moments from the last few days. Sure, I've had my share of working long hours at a day job where I got Christmas Day off and then was back at the grind bright and early on the 26th. I did it for nearly thirty years. These days, one of my most appreciated "presents" is working from home so that I don't have to hit the road the day after Christmas.

And I've also had my share of Christmases where our family has lost loved ones or spent the holidays in the hospital or on the roads to and from ICU. I understand that it's not always smiles and laughter. Years when it is are to be treasured.

My week started with Christmas at my house on Monday night, and I had the joy of babysitting two of my grands all day while cooking for the family. (Everybody should have to do that every so often in order to appreciate what young moms and dads go through every single day.) What a gift! To be able to enjoy my precious grand babies while cooking a meal for their parents. The little one falling asleep on my shoulder while I tossed the last of the potatoes in the crock pot for soup. The 3 1/2 year old wanting to help and mopping floors for me. She did an amazing job! Then her thanking me so sweetly when I brought out some new soft play dough.

Then watching all three of my grands running around my den squealing with joy and opening presents. Yes, thinking back on Monday night makes me smile.

Tuesday morning, my little group gathered at my in-laws for an extended family get-together and there were more children, more laughter, more squeals, presents and food, along with more pictures.

Wednesday, Christmas Day, My Cowboy and I spent the day at home alone. Well, he actually spent part of the day working cows and I "puttered" around the house, as my mother would say. It was nice just to get caught on emails and look at pictures of my grand babies as they and their parents enjoyed opening gifts in their own homes.

Thursday was more of the same with me eyeing the tree and finally deciding to take it down. Even this can be fun when you have the time to do it.

You know, I had planned to tell y'all about the material gifts I received this year, and then y'all could chime in with your own list, much like children used to call in to radio stations and tell the DJ what they got for Christmas. At least our local station did that and my husband loved listening to it on Christmas morning. But I just realized that I haven't mentioned not ONE gift I received. Not that I'm unappreciative.

But these days for me, Christmas is less about receiving material gifts than it is being with my children and grandchildren and watching the little ones. My granddaughter carried this doll with her all week from one set of grandparents to the next. She'd asked for a pink baby doll (to go with the other 500 she has!), and every time she talked to Santa, she'd only say a pink baby doll. She received much more and gifts that cost more than this little doll, but this is the one she fell in love with. A simple little doll that will give her hours of enjoyment as she uses her imagination to play "mommy".

That's gift enough for me. :)

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