The bittersweet of Christmas

Christmas has changed for me over the years. As a youngster, it was all about the fun and frolic, sharing my excitement with my three sisters. No matter if we were at my Grandma's palatial home in Florida, or our own little house in California, Christmas was always filled with joy and delight. When times were tight financially, I never noticed it. When there was tension over jobs and family disagreements, I was oblivious. There were still packages to be opened, meals to be shared, family to enjoy. Lately though, I've been seeing Christmas through a different lens, as loved ones age, as illness creeps in, as children grow and get ready to fledge. I savor the sweetness even more now because I see how incredibly precious the season is. So here are three Christmas memories that I will always savor.

1. Papa Bear proposed marriage to me next to his artificial tree (purchased for my benefit, I'm sure.) The tree is old now, scraggly and missing a few twigs, but it still sparkles in my mind.

2.  I remember the year I climbed up to put the angel on top of the tree and somehow it shorted out the whole house. Instant darkness!

3.  I recall the laughter on Christmas Eve every year when Papa Bear helps the cubs make their own pizzas. They're not little cubs anymore, but if I close my eyes I can picture them there, standing on chairs with their little aprons made by grandma. Sigh! Such sweet memories.

So I pray that your holiday is filled with joy, and if there is pain and loss this year, I pray that God will find you and fill your heart with peace. Please feel free to share your own Christmas wishes below. God bless you this Christmas season!