I find that I am much more excited about Christmas this year than I have been in since I was a child.
It's no lie that the past ten years, the holidays have spelled tragedy for my extended family. We have had our fair share of loss whether it be a grandmother, a cousin, a sister, an uncle, a family pet. We have lost at least one in our clan each year and, always, right around Christmas. The people in our family have come to dread the holidays not just for the freezing weather, the crowded stores, the commercialism, and the horrible traffic. It's hard enough going through the season without them here, but we have a biting fear that we will have to start 2011 without someone else.
This year is no different in it's potential to be a tragic holiday. We have a few who just may not make it to see the new year. Knowing that can serve to put a pall on the celebration. So why do I feel so good this year?
Usually I'm dragging around exhausted, waiting for the holidays to be over. This year, I'm bouncing around humming Christmas tunes and tinseling the house. Charlie Brown's Christmas and A Christmas Story have been the television viewing choice for the week. All the presents are even wrapped, days before Christmas Eve.
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