Of all the holidays Christmas is my favorite. It is the holiday from which I have the most memories. Etched in my mind, is the joy in opening the battery-operated guitars my sister and I got when I was six years old. The baby doll with long brown hair. The pretty white denim cargo pants. The green rice covered Christmas tree my “Big Ma” used as a tree topper every year since I made it in Kindergarten. I love Christmas. Maybe it is the spiritual significance, the weather, or the fact that Christmas, more than any other holiday, brings families together. Distant relatives are more likely to travel home. Sons and daughters return home sometimes after years of being away. Greeting cards arrive from long-lost friends. It is a thrill to read the family newsletters about new arrivals, life changes, and career advancements over the last year. Something about Christmas brings people together.
There is lots of advice for sons and daughters who visit parents during the holiday season. The one bit of advice that is missing in the lot is to simply be in the moment. Despite the dozens of gifts still on the list. Despite your sister being upset about your gift being two sizes too big (Oops!), Christmas is about relating, relishing in the presence of family, and reconnecting with the true meaning of it all. So when you are visiting with your family, be with your family. Time is moving much faster than it used to and every moment is precious. Savor the moments and make the most of the opportunity to grow relationships, build trust, and truly connect with the people who mean the most to you. Let the gift you give this Christmas be the greatest gift of all; the gift of yourself. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas.
