Christmas Memories
As we hustle and bustle through the holiday season I am flooded by many memories. Memories of Christmas as a child myself. Memories of times that I thought were sad or horrible at the time but have since become some of the sweetest memories ever.
Its funny when discussing gifts with my husband regarding our children we realize that they really don't remember much of what they received the previous year. It is funny yet at the same time it isn't. It isn't that they aren't grateful for what they received or that they didn't really care for it. Its that they just have had such a blessed life in always having everything they needed. I did say needed not wanted. We are very careful not to "spoil" our children.
They haven't by Gods grace really needed to feel what its like to do without. Not without necessities anyway. That could be a blessing and a curse. A blessing because your needs are always met and a curse because you don't necessarily understand and fully appreciate your blessings.
Growing up with a single mom we pretty much always had our needs met. Mom was a hard worker who desired to provide us with the things she lacked growing up. But being a single mom of 3 kids wasn't always easy. Rent was due, bills needed to be paid, school supplies to be bought, clothing, and all the other extras that come along with having a family. Looking back I'd say she did pretty awesome for what she had to work with.
Yet, there are times I can remember as clear as yesterday. And you know what's funny? What's funny is that some of the times I can remember the best are the hardest times of our life! They are the times of struggles, the times of hurt, the times of uneasiness in our life. Of course I can remember good times too but I am so very thankful that I can remember those hard times. They are the times that have helped me know just how truly blessed I am today!
I will share here the memories of some Christmas's that weren't quite exactly every child's dream but have become some of my most treasured memories! Times that as a child I just really didn't realize how hard things were. Times that looking back I'm sure my mom felt as though she wasn't doing a good enough job, maybe even thought she was failing. Funny how those are the times I remember and realize just how strong she was. She brought us through them, along with Gods help.
There was a Christmas that we didn't have enough money for a Christmas tree. That really didn't bother us, we decorated her indoor Ficus tree with ornaments. I remember a time we had bologna sandwiches for Christmas dinner. We loved bologna sandwiches so it really didn't matter. Another Christmas we had a Cornish hen. Mom always knew how to cook and make something out of nothing so we loved it of course.
There is one Christmas in particular that stands out though. One that I am even thankful to have pictures of. We had no money, mom had been laid off from work and had been struggling but had a brilliant idea! She always had a 5 gallon jug she would throw change into and decided that we would dump out the change and roll the coins to cash in. I remember it vividly because my hair was a mess, we were almost about to head to bed when she got this crazy idea. If you could see the picture you would know exactly what I'm talking about!
So my mom, a friend of hers, myself, and my two brothers all sat on the floor rolling up quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies. I don't remember the conversation but I know it was fun. I don't remember cashing it in but I do remember that after we did, we headed to the mall and we all split up to buy each other gifts for Christmas.
Do you know what's funny? I cant tell you what I got that year. I cant even tell you what I bought who. But I can tell you that every time I remember that Christmas tears come to my eyes. Not because of sadness. Not because of the lack of funds or gifts. No, tears come to my eyes because of the love my mom had, the desire to see her babies happy. The desire to do whatever it took to give us a "normal" Christmas.
As a mom I can only imagine what feelings she may have been feeling. Little did she know, she was giving me some of the best memories ever during what was probably the hardest times of her life. She was helping me grow into the woman and mom I am today. I am thankful for those and all of the other memories God has given me of her. They are all I have left today.
This Christmas when you are searching for that "Perfect" gift don't let it pass you by. Take time and notice those around you and the memories you are creating. Those memories might just be the "Perfect" gift you've been looking for all along!
