But! That's not the point. The point is once you have kids... Your whole outlook on Christmas, Birthdays, Easter, 4th of July, Halloween, etc., changes. You become this Holiday Nazi. Everything has to be perfect. Every wreath, garland, ornament, and gift have to be in place. So your kids can have a memorable and happy Christmas... It becomes a kind of game. How great of a Christmas can you make this year? Not to say you have to spoil the kids. No need for over abundance of gifts. Just affection, spending time, and laughter. Sounds cheesy, but it's true. That's what this whole season is about. Spending time with friends and family. Cuddling up in a blanket with hot cocoa, and snow falling outside, reading a good book. Making snow men, and Christmas crafts. Driving around, looking at all the Christmas lights. For us, Utahns, taking a trip up to Salt Lake City and wandering through Temple Square, lit from the ground up with vibrant lights. The tradition in my little family is grabbing Moochies on the way up, a philly and sub joint in South Salt Lake, it's incredible.
And we can't forget Christmas Eve. I get more excited for this day than the actual Christmas Day... Our family tradition, having a great family get together. With ham, kick back a few beers, board games and sibling rivalry. Who's cheating this year? Opening our one Eve Christmas Gift; which is ALWAYS pjs. I remember as a kid, I would always try to be sneaky and grab a gift that couldn't POSSIBLY be pjs for my one Eve Gift. Turns out, my mom was smarter that my little 6 year old self, and boxed them up to trick me. So I would save the toys for Christmas Day. Also, what would I have worn to bed? Mom knows what she's doing. ;)
Back on the sibling rivalry... Every year, we play some kind of board game, or card game. Our family's favorite currently is Cards Against Humanity... Figures, right? Or that one game that where you have nouns written on a pieces of paper, and you stick them on your forehead, without looking at them, and you have to try and ask what you are... I don't have any clue what that game is called. I think my mom kind of made it up :P. Anyway, without fail, either me and MY brother, or my mom and my uncle, get in a screaming match of, "You're cheating!" "You can't do that! That's too much information!" "That's not part of the rules!" "It don't matter how young he is, he doesn't get a freebie!" ... ... ... As chaotic as this routine gets every year... It's something I long for, every season. It is all harmless fun. I love every little quirk my family has. My cousins sitting back, laughing at all that is going down, my little brother and sister fighting about who gets the last piece of Christmas candy. My grandma absent mindedly cleaning up the kitchen. Me constantly telling her to go sit down ;). I love it. The whole spirit...
I love the day of Christmas, the family time. Watching others gasp at a gift they truly love... Not in a selfish, snooty, gimme way... But a genuine, thankful way...
Christmas is just another reminder, to me, that family is forever... And Christ's light is always around...
I was talking to my Grandma about the meaning of life the other day... She was wondering what this whole thing was for... And I was able to answer... Without any bitter words or resentment...
I believe this world is about acceptance... Love. With no judgement. Being able to wish good fortune on someone, with no ulterior motive. Being happy for someone's achievements with no hidden bitterness. Loving each other, not only as you want to be loved, but just because it's the decent thing to do... With no hate... No prejudice.
Creation. Reproduction... Teaching your offspring this same gospel... Beauty in everything...
Finally, and certainly not least... Growing everyday, learning everyday to be a better person. Being the best you can be each day.
Stay Colorful
Brandyne White
Purple Psyche
