Tag: family

As is true for everyone, the pandemic changed the traditional Christmas celebrations. Today I am going to share some blessings and memories of Christmases past from which I learned important lessons.

My first memory of the magic walnuts was when I was about 4 or 5 years old. Each year a walnut hung by a red ribbon from the Christmas tree. There was one for my sister and one for me. When we opened the walnut shell, there was a crisply folded one-dollar bill! In the 1940s that was a lot of money. My grandfather watched us with a big smile.

LESSON: It is good for children to believe in magic. It is an opportunity for them to use their imaginations.

When I was 12, I sneaked a peek at a gift when no one was home. I was terribly disappointed to discover it was NOT a cashmere sweater. My mother discovered what I had done and the present disappeared from under the tree.

LESSON: Do not cheat or lie or sneak a peak. You will only hurt yourself and others.

Christmas 2020 has an uninvited guest: Covid-19 virus. Our annual trip to MN to spend a few days with family was canceled. Anger, disappointment, and tears were part of my private pity-party. I decided to put my “big-girl pants on” and celebrate this special holiday with love and gratefulness for all that I do have.

LESSON: Life is not perfect. Adapt and cope. Be a better person by reaching out to others who are not with their families, bake extra cookies, and send cards with meaningful messages.

I have been remiss in keeping up to date with my blog, supporting authors with tweets and reviews, and not commenting on blogs I follow. I have had two priorities that have taken my time away from the above: writing my fifth book and setting up my involvement with ovarian cancer awareness and fundraising more efficiently. I have made strides in both areas, but have more to do.

At a recent Zoom support group, we each shared a favorite Christmas memory. I invite you to do the same in the comment section. Wishing you each a blessed Christmas.