Merry Christmas to All!

In our house, Christmas doesn’t end when we go to bed on December 25th. We celebrate the entire Christmas season. As the song goes, there are twelve days, beginning with the 25th. So as I’m sitting here writing this, it’s the fourth day of Christmas. My tree is still up, my house is still decorated, and yes, I’m still watching Hallmark Christmas movies.

Christmas looked a little different this year. For my first 45 Christmases, the whole family gathered in my living room on Christmas morning to exchange gifts and eat Christmas cookies for breakfast. This year, the house was quiet. My daughter and her husband celebrated their first Christmas morning in their new home with my Tiny Bestie💕. My son lives across town. My sister and her husband are 20 minutes away. We’re all still close, just not living under the same roof anymore. Families grow. Circumstances change. Life goes on.

It’s the second Christmas without my mom. The empty space without her is overwhelming at times. I miss her so much every day, but even more at Christmas. She really was the magic that made it so incredible year after year. I’m beyond grateful for the years we had together and the memories we made. I’m blessed to be surrounded by friends and family who keep her spirit alive. Some of the magic she created still remains in the traditions we carry forward.

Christmas Eve is my favorite night of the year. Our house is filled with food, family, and friends. Holiday cheer abounds. We indulge in Christmas cookies and exchange White Elephant gifts. Everyone crowds into the living room when it’s time for the story. My dad reads “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” and my cousin reads “The Wonkey Donkey.” There’s laughter and love, and my heart is happy.

When everyone goes home, and the house is quiet, I sit down by the Christmas tree and count my blessings. I have two amazing children, the best son-in-law, the most perfect granddaughter, and a family that recognizes the need to gather together as often as we can.

This year, I have a very personal blessing to be thankful for as well. When I stepped on the scale on January 1st, I knew I had to make some changes. I knew I needed to lose weight and get healthy. I didn’t set a goal weight because I didn’t have any idea what a healthy weight would look like, and if we’re being honest, I didn’t want to be disappointed if I fell short. But on Christmas morning, I stepped on the scale once again. 228. FIFTY POUNDS!! I’ve lost 50 pounds this year!! Merry Christmas to me!! About a week before Christmas, I told my daughter that I hoped I could get down to 228.2 by December 31st. I was so close, and I felt like that was a reasonable goal to end the year on a positive note. What a surprise when I met that goal with a week to go. I’m very proud of myself. I’m taking after my Tiny Bestie 💕 and celebrating my own successes. As she’d say, “clap!” 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

I ramble a lot. Sometimes my thoughts get so jumbled and I can’t get them out in a way that makes sense. But if you’ve read this far, thank you. Thank you for taking a little time out of your own (no doubt) busy life to indulge this little hobby of mine. I hope you are in the midst of your own blessed holiday season, and I encourage you to celebrate your amazing self as well!

Merry Christmas, my friends! 💚❤️🎄