Merry Christmas

I have always thought of Christmas as a good time; a kind, forgiving, generous, pleasant time; a time when men and women seem to open their hearts freely, and so I say, God bless Christmas!

~Charles Dickens

 

Merry Christmas from our home to yours! The presents have all been opened and the house is empty except for Chuck and I (and my dad) as the kids have gone off to their dad’s home.

 

I used to hate having a split family. At 8 a.m. every Christmas morning my ex husband would pick the kids up in order to have Christmas with his family. And at 8:01 a.m., I would be in a mess of tears. Now Connor is almost 16 and Micaela is 18, and although the sadness of not having them on Christmas Day still surrounds me, ever briefly, I am grateful for each moment that I have with them, and try to not focus on each moment that I don’t.

 

When I was single, I would make sure to have a huge stack of books, silly movies and magazines and spend the day on the couch, watching movies and reading. I would also have a box of Kleenex next to me and cry throughout the day and night, mourning all that I didn’t have. I would cry at all the pain that was caused me and the kids, and at the fairy tale of a life that I thought I was gifted, but felt as if it was ripped from me, without my permission and none of it in my control. I thought I was handling it properly. I thought wrong.

 

Last night, as we entertained family and friends, I thought back to those days that I thought were so completely miserable and saw the good within them. How could I treasure all that I have now without going through all of the pain?

 

So on this Christmas morning, I offer you a lesson that I learned from my own past. No matter your situation, you might not see the gifts around you, but take in the experience with open eyes (and some Kleenex next to you is okay too). It may seem like the worst Christmas or the saddest Christmas, but know that there are insights to be gained within them. And for those who are having the most perfect Christmas – send those higher thoughts and prayers to those who might be sad, because even your littlest boost of energy may help someone get through this holiday.

 

From our home to yours – the MERRIEST of Holidays!

 

"Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect."
- Oren Arnold

 

Love, Laughter and Miracles,

Kristy Robinett