Christmas 2011

Oh boy presents! When I was a little kid I remember a warmth within my body that Christmas was getting closer. The anticipation would cause me to lose sleep every night that drew closer to the morning that I’d open dozens of gifts from Santa, my Mom, and my Dad. I remember the excitement I felt as bedtime rolled around on Christmas eve, when I knew why my parents were staying up. I’d listen by my bedroom door to the rustle of presents and the sound of my mothers voice whispering to my dad: “let’s fill up their stockings”.
6 a.m my sister and I would be wide awake, ready to open presents! Much to our dismay, our parents would make us go back to sleep for an hour or two because they weren’t ready to get up. I remember one year my sister fell asleep at the bottom of the stairs!
The early risers tradition remained alive for many years even as my parents added more kids to our family. Then, I hit thirteen and I was willing to sleep until 12 before I wanted to open presents. This time, my young brothers were waking me up on Christmas morning.
In the beginning, Christmas was all about getting presents. When I was young, my parents used to buy so much for us that we would get exhausted opening up presents! From a Barbie cash register I remember getting to a baby doll crib that I wanted so badly. Christmas was a time of getting, especially when in my young mind, Santa Clause still existed.
As the years went by and my parents stopped emphasizing Santa Clause and put more emphasis on Jesus, my young heart could do nothing but deny it! Santa Clause did exist, darn it.
When I finally came to terms with the made up existence of St. Nick and elves, Jesus became more of a prevalent way to celebrate Christmas and my frozen heart began to thaw.
Now that I am a young adult, I have come to appreciate the little things in life. Being away from my family the majority of the year has really made me realize how much I took for granted the privilege of my little brothers shaking me in my sleep saying: “Wake up, Elora! It’s Christmas”. I miss them, and I just know that I am going to miss them this Christmas morning very much. I love my family and send my love from many miles away. I hope that me being away has saved my parents money and that they will have a meaningful Christmas even without my presence.
Christmas. CHRISTmas. A time for giving and cherishing the times we have with loved ones.
This year, Christmas has a whole new meaning!