Having been brought up in a family that believed Christ WAS Christmas, we had  family gathered at Christmastime in our parents home, gifts under the tree and then some, smells of a turkey in the oven….Wow! It always brings a tear or three in remembering wonderful and sometimes, not so wonderful, times in the past.

What is Christmas really? To me, it is giving to others, helping others without looking for a return ‘payment’, sharing your home, selves, food and laughter with others, and going to Church Christmas Eve. This was the gift given to me by my parents. I miss them every day but probably more than ever this time of year. They LOVED Christmas. Every part of it. Thank you, it was the best gift ever for me.

This year, for us, was the biggest bonus we have received ever. We have had, including tomorrow, all our children and grandchildren, except for our grandson, for three different, but wonderful, Christmas celebrations. How did we do it? Well. let’s see……

Don ‘s daughter was coming from Belgium in July for her vacation. We had asked that the kids pay us at least one and,  hopefully two visits, this year. So, in July, we had Christmas…turkey, music, decorations for nine family members.  Then 10 days ago, another family member came, and again, we celebrated Christmas. This time, the tree was up, lights on and laughter abound AND tomorrow, my daughter will arrive to spend, Yup, the third Christmas this year for us.

The feeling of happiness, joy within and being thankful everyday for this family of ours, I am sometimes overwhelmed with it all. When family is spread around this crazy world of ours, we should make the time and effort to share and celebrate when you can with any of them. So what if you have more than one. Trust me when the temperature is in the 90’s, turkey gets a second guess, but always comes through.

So…here’s the emotion coming through…Merry Christmas to one and all, and if you can, share it with someone who is either alone this year, doesn’t have a home but needs only a good and sincerely given meal and most of all, say a huge thank you to God and to your family. May 2015 be the best yet.