We usually celebrate Christmas with our boys on Christmas Day, but tomorrow, we have church and Christmas at David’s parents. We wanted the boys to be able to enjoy some time at home with their gifts, so we decided to open gifts this morning.
Isaiah, who is steeped in tradition, was not a fan at first. As he grumbled about it, I told him the story of how his Grandaddy was fighting for his life in the hospital at Vanderbilt one Christmas Day, and our family celebrated in a tiny apartment on Charlotte Pike a few miles away. It wasn’t what we were used to, but it was our reality. My Mom, Andy, Rose, Aaron, CJ and I made the best of it as we had one foot in grief and one foot in gratefulness.
It was that Christmas that my heart grew a few sizes, and I truly realized that being together no matter the place or the time is what mattered most.
As we grow up into adults, we miss family traditions sometimes due to work schedules, sick kids, or having to choose between places. Things change. Life throws us curve balls. We never know what the next Christmas will bring.
This year, I find myself celebrating the way I did years ago…one foot in grief over lost loved ones and for friends who have lost loved ones…and the other foot in gratefulness thanking God for who I have and what I have.
I hope you all are able to do the same today…be tender towards yourselves and those who are missing someone this Christmas while also being thankful for those around your table.
We can celebrate the gift of Jesus no matter where we find ourselves. And what better way to celebrate Him than to give Him our disappointments, pain, and grief in exchange for His peace, love, grace, and mercy.
Merry Christmas to you and yours no matter where you find yourself or who you find yourself with this Christmas. This Christmas may look different, but God doesn’t.
