One of my favorite memories from my childhood is of our family’s Christmas Eve tradition. My Daddy loved Christmas and could not wait for Santa to come – so on Christmas Eve my parents would load my brothers and me into the car to ride around and look at the Christmas lights. But, just as we were ready to leave, my Mama would have to go back into the house. Being kids and being so excited about our outing we had no idea what was going on. We would ride around and enjoy all the lights and then when we came home we found that Santa had come to our house – on Christmas Eve! (I didn’t figure out until I was much older why Mama went back into the house.) We just thought that we were special because Santa had come early at our house.
As our kids were growing up we did not choose to have Santa come on Christmas Eve, but we always set aside time to go for a ride and enjoy the lights together as a family. Our children are all grown and now they are taking their children to see the lights. Since there are 17 of us, with all of the grands, this is not something we can do together anymore. So a few years ago my husband and I started a new tradition – we began taking my parents for a drive the week before Christmas to look at the lights. Last year we were not able to do this because my Daddy was very sick, but this year he is feeling much better. So last night was the time we chose for our Christmas lights drive. What a special time it was for me to be able to share this with my parents and see my Daddy enjoy all of the lights and decorations. I told my husband as we came home, “We just made a memory.” We never know how long we will have our loved ones with us, but we will always have our memories.
I hope you and your loved ones are making special memories and that you cherish each one.
Christmas Blessings,
Sue
Sunday, December 19, 2010
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7 comments:
Your family tradition has came full circle. I am sure this memory will be as close to your heart as the first time your parents took you to see the lights. I can only imagine the joy your parents felt that night. To know something that started continues on with you but now you are taking them. Just so sweet & loving. Blessings!
What a great memory/tradition! I read a post somewhere written by a Grandmother that she can rest later, she wants to create memories now! I was so jealous she wasn't my Mom/MIL! I have a little boy and both parents are always saying how tired they are, he is too much of a handful. It breaks my heart b/c they weren't like that with my daughter, neice and nephew.
Good for you making a memory! Beautiful!
Sue,
What a surprise, that was our family Christmas tradition as well. We all loaded into the car with Daddy and toured the Christmas Lights, when we arrived back home, Santa had come. We always opened out gifts on Christmas Eve as well. It was special reading your Christmas message. Both of my parents are gone, so how touching that you were able to create another precious memory. Life is a gift, dare to dream as that is what makes memories.
Connie
So wonderful the memories we make.Enjoy the time now and reflect later and enjoy.Sounds like you had a great time.Warm Blessings!~Amy
I love this post. Santa came to my children on Christmas eve too. While my m-i-l and I cleaned up the kitchen, my husband and his dad fed the cows. When we would go home they would go with us. The kids finally caught on and that was a sad time! Christmas memories are wonderful and continue to make us smile to this day! Merry Christmas Sue and family,
betty, Through My Back Door
I love your family tradition Sue - how warm and fun sounding.
Bless you all in your family.
Merry Christmas
Karen
Sue...this is the sweetest thing ever!! I was getting a little teary eyed! Me and my daddy are really close too! What a wonderful post! Merry Christmas...here's to traditions!
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