Christmas Memories

                             

Good morning from beautiful Ventura!  Again the sun is shining here even tho' it is very cool.  I've read about your snow and ice and the pictures are nothing short of gorgeous.  And that's just how I like to see snow and ice.  In pictures.  I lived through a blizzard in New Mexico in 1971.  I hated that.  Got pneumonia because all I had were mini-skirts and lightweight jackets. 

Back to the December Challenge.  Please forgive me again for missing yesterday.  I'm having trouble sitting in a chair long enough to post.  That's why I put Miss Techincal Difficulties up there.  My body is having them!  So for a second time, I will try to do a double post.  That's not too hard for me, because I love Christmas and have many memories.

I love to stuff stockings.  We have always done it the same way in our family and even though we are making new traditions here this year, this is one I'm keeping.  I always put a tangerine in the toe of the stocking, some nuts and candy - have you noticed how hard it is to find hard Christmas candy? - then underwear and socks, then little trinkets to enjoy.  I wrap everything.  I know.  It seems silly, but it entertains a kid for quite a while.  We always told the kids they could open their stockings and nothing else until we got out of bed.  I remember getting up extra early when I was a kid to do just that.  For us, a stocking was a treasure trove of excitement.

Now, here is another thing that makes Christmas exciting.  I've been a grandma now for almost 21 years.  I haven't been able to spend a lot of Christmases with my grandchildren because I've spent so much time in Mexico.  One year, my oldest granddaughter, Ashleigh, lived with us and we celebrated with her.  It was wonderful.  Christmas is so magical through the eyes of a child.  One of my most precious memories was the year Kailani lived with me and was part of the Christmas pageant at church.  She was an angel.  She stood at the back, elevated above the others with her arms spread wide.  Something happened to her that night as she announced the birth of Christ.  She glowed.  Real tears of love for Him streamed down her cheeks.  I wasn't the only one to notice.  People were staring at her with such awe.  For that moment in time, my precious granddaughter was as filled with the Holy Spirit as anyone I've ever seen.  This is a Christmas memory I take out and treasure from time to time.  I'm happy to share it with you this morning.

Be blessed today my friends,