It's hard to believe that Christmas, once again, has come and gone.
I loved watching the children open their presents. My granddaughter said it best. "I didn't ask for all these presents, but I sure do like them."
I no longer look for the big present under the tree, because I know that the things that matter the most can't be wrapped. Here are a few of the gifts I received this year:
The unexpected phone call from an old friend in Pennsylvania. We have not seen each other since we were girls, but have kept in touch through the decades. We share stories about our families and traditions. Another thing we have in common: her mother was born in England and married an American GI and my mother was German and also married an American.
The unexpected present she sent me. She knows I love history, so she sent me a book and relaxation CD with snow scenes (since we are snow-challenged here in the South).
The beautiful church on Christmas Eve, a sanctuary of holiness to quietly celebrate the birth of Christ.
The almost empty streets on Christmas Eve, when the stores have closed and families are together.
Christmas dinner at my sister's house. She and her husband have a large, extended family and it was a joy to see the huge pile of presents under the tree and every room in the house decorated for Christmas. And I have to say that I love her dressing!
Phone calls on Christmas Day and catching up with loved ones.
Visiting a longtime friend who always gives me too much at Christmas. I tell her this every year. And she never listens.
An evening at home during the holidays, when the house is quiet and I am snuggled under a blanket on the sofa, knowing that I don't have to go anywhere the next morning.
Browsing through my new cookbook and listening to my new CD that my daughters gave me. I can't wait to try some of the recipes from "The Pioneer Woman's Cookbook."
Watching a Hallmark movie, "The Christmas Choir". This was the only holiday movie I watched this year. What is the Christmas season without a warm and touching holiday story?
5 comments:
Your blog is JUST like you, Anita. Thanks so much for sharing yourself here, in cyberspace. I've bookmarked your blog, so I can easily find it in the future.
I struggle to update my blog Mon - Friday, but that is my goal each week.
xoxoxoxo
cathy
Sounds like you had a wonderful Christmas. Dressing is hard to get perfect, my mom's dressing was the best, I'm still trying to perfect it.
I too don't look for things under the tree. I wonder if everyone gets this way as they age?? The older I get the more 'things' don't matter.
It's the little things that make such a difference in our lives! Sounds like your Christmas was a wonderul one!
By the way, I lived in Germany when I was a teenager! Great memories!
Post a Comment