Taking the little things for granted
Sometimes I am truly amazed at the understanding of my children. Having had a very lean year, I've explained to them that if I am able to give them anything for Christmas, it will have to come after the holidays. I just don't have any money. I've heard from all of them how understanding they are of the situation. All they have asked for is to please have a tree like all their friends do. So after scrimping to pay the few bills I can manage to pay every month and successfully getting everything paid for the moment, there was enough left over to buy a Charlie Brown tree. (Well maybe it's better than that, it's not completely devoid of pine needles.) I took 17 and 12 to the Harvest Market yesterday and for $11.72 we picked out the best tree they had out of about 8 trees. All the way home 12 was positive we were going to lose it from the top of the van. I even had to stop once and check it for her because she could see the pine needles hanging over the side.
They've gone to their dad's for the weekend, and I'm left to get the tree into the stand and put the lights on. I believe the kids will be home Sunday evening and Monday I'll fire up the kerosene heaters in the living room and we will decorate the tree together. There won't be anything under the tree Christmas morning, but they will have what they asked for. A tree of our own.
They should be waking up to gifts from dad and Santa on Christmas morning at his house. I'll be waking up to the tree that my children loving helped to decorate. I'm wondering who will have the better feeling come Christmas morning? I know I'll have a smile on my face while I sip my cup of coffee and look at the creation my children have made. I don't take the little things for granted. Every part of simple traditions matter.
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If the weather is cooperative, the girls and I will be decorating this tree Monday evening.
I found it nearly impossible to heat the house with the temps near 0 all day. If the weather wants to stay this cold, it may be Tuesday before we get to decorate. Then the girls are looking forward to a ride around town seeking out the best christmas light displays. ;)
Your tree is beautiful!
Make sure you check out the house off of Cross Street, out by Community Hospital, that house always looks great!
"If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."
Just sent you a PM
Merry Christmas, CC-gal....
Merry Christmas to you Bob!!
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Okay, so 17 has a job and she managed to put a few presents under the tree. We were able to warm up enough to decorate the tree tonight, and I must say, it's just BEAUTIFUL!! But then it always is. Normally, when things are right with us, we have a family Christmas party on the 10th or 11th. We have a huge spread of snacks and finger foods, all the kids, spouses and grandkids are here, and we make a big deal out of everyone decorating the tree. When it's all done, we visit. Playing games, gossiping, kids eating more food, whatever.
Last year, as some of you know, when Christmas was getting near, I was staying with my second oldest daughter, so I didn't even put up a tree at home (didn't have electricity here anyway). This year all the kids wanted was to make sure that we had our own tree, so we have that. I'm not in a position to have the big party at this time, and they all have expressed sadness that we weren't able to follow our normal tradition. The last couple of years have been majorly off, and I hope that next year will finally be back on track. I have high hopes that 2009 will finally be the year it all comes together.
At any rate, I want to share the final result, complete with 17's contribution to our Christmas. In this picture, 17 and itty bitty are sitting in front of the finished tree, wrapping a couple last presents that she is giving.
By the way, most of the decorations on that tree were made by my children over the years. That is the best family tradition I have at Christmas, putting those rag tag ornaments made with love, on the tree.