Y’all, am I the only one that finds that the holiday blahs can creep up on them without any kind of prior notice? It’s like November 1st, and boom… you find yourself in a whole new state of mind. First there is Thanksgiving and then there’s Christmas and finally New Year’s. The holidays are so much to me about your loved ones, and when you are missing some of the most important people in your life, it just kinda dims the holiday lights a little.
Christmas Eve
Being an only child, it’s not like I have a real huge family gathering to begin with. Christmas Eve was probably the largest gathering throughout the holidays, and that involved holiday festivities at my Granny’s. She passed away this past April. This will be our first Christmas without her. For as long as I can remember, Christmas Eve involved Gumbo and presents at her house. All my aunts, uncles, and cousins crammed into her little house with her sitting with a big smile on her face soaking in all the laughter and chatter of her family. She wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. She loved her family, and we knew it. Another special thing about Christmas Eve is that it is my Mama’s birthday! It’s a double celebration for us.
Hustle and Bustle
Since my Daddy died it just seems that the holidays are a little overwhelming to me. Of course, a sadness comes over me longing to hear his laugh on Christmas morning as Anna Beth opens her presents and to watch him impatiently wait to open his presents. I’m always reminded of the last Christmas that we spent together. He died just 17 short days later. The hustle and bustle of shopping just seems so insignificant when there is such hurt going on in the world.
Birth of a Savior
I am then reminded that because of a birth of a baby in a manger so many, many years ago that all this pain and suffering is not permanent. We have hope! Hope of a better tomorrow. Hope of seeing our loved ones again. Hope of joy and peace. Just HOPE!! What more can I say? Then suddenly the lights kinda shine a little brighter.
