Well, here we are just a few days away from Christmas.
Let me share what we will be doing on Christmas Eve.
My family and I will be heading to our old neighborhood and church.
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One thing that I really miss about living in our previous home, is our church.
We’ve never found a church that’s made me feel at home as our previous church.
I have a long history of going to church there.
I was involved with volunteering, and my daughter also attended her early school years there.
And before we were married, my husband was baptized in that church, we were married in that church and my daughter was also baptized in that church.
Last year we attended Christmas Eve service there and I got a bit overwhelmed.
I think it’s being with my family, in that church that holds so many memories for me.
Last year as I sat there in the pew, looking around as people were gathering and finding a seat, I just sat there holding back the tears of the memories.
Thoughts of holding my daughter as an infant in that church.
And here we were, celebrating the birth of Jesus.
Just today, as I was riding in the car with my daughter, I told her that I had a confession to make.
I said…” Did I ever tell you that I get a little overwhelmed with joy, and that joy leads me to tears when we are in church on Christmas Eve” ?
Before I could finish the sentence, my daughter said “Wait I know just what you are going to say, and yes, I feel the same way.”
Then she paused and said , “Especially when we sing Silent Night.”
My girl is just like me, she can cry at the drop of the hat.
But it’s true, the holidays can stir all sorts of emotions for me.
They remind me of the times spent with loved ones that are no longer with us.
And they bring joy for the new memories we make.
I hope that whatever memories you have this Christmas season, they bring you happiness and joy.
Even if you lost someone, think about the good times and smile.
We have many in our family that are no longer with us, some left way too soon.
Others had a full life, but still are always missed, especially this time of the year.
I want to thank each and every single one of you for following along this year.
You make what I do, so much more fun!
If you were here with me, I would give each of you a big hug!
I really would!
Thank you, and Merry Christmas!
So sweet Anne. So happy you will go back to your family church and have those wonderful memories. I cry at silent night too. Beautiful. Merry Christmas Anne to you and your sweet daughter and hubby. Enjoy all that the holiday brings to all of you. Peace and good wishes for the new year.
Kris
Just your post alone is bringing tears to my eyes! 🙂
Merry Christmas Anne.
Thank you for sharing such precious moments with us and i feel the same way there are so many people that have gone on and i miss them terribly. Bur i have wonderful memories and am making more and that is important. Thank you for all the wonderful things you have taught us this year and am looking forward to a glorious new year with exciting things.
Oh,forgot Merry Christmas Anne,have a wonderful time.
Thank you Anne ! Indeed , we all lost loved once but our memories keep them with us & our lives.
With our love to old, worn & chippy treasures we always adopt a piece of memory from many other loved once even when we don`t know them . Only old photographs can give us a glimpse the rest lives in our imaginations… Merry Christmas to you & your family, Santa Claw included !
Exactly..Merry Christmas
I get very melancholy this time of year as I remember my parents and especially my mom. I miss her everyday, but especially at Christmas. As for my church, I am fortunate to be in the church that I confirmed my faith as a child, married there and each of our children and our grandchildren were baptized and confirmed their faith as well and even two were married there. So it is home to me and my husband. we now h.ave 5 greats who are baptized members and carrying on the Hackman family traditions there as well.
I really enjoyed your sweet post. I will be missing many friends and family this Christmas season, but I have wonderful memories with them and cherish them. No one can take those from me. I will continue to try and make new and wonderful memories all year long with family and friends that are in my life at this time of my life. At the end of next year I hope to have added many more friends and memories to that list. Those are the best. Merry Christmas!
xx Jo
Christmas is always a sad time,both my parent have gone to the other side,and although I miss them everyday,Christmas is a sad time,but we all must move on and be grateful for all the love around us .Wishing you and your family a safe and happy Christmas,looking forward to what we will see from you next year,
Oh! I understand the longing and memories for a previous parish community. My husband and I attended the church when we were single college students, we were married in that church, both of our children were baptized in that church, all by the same priest who happened to be my husband’s cousin. That was a long time ago, but the memories never fade. I’m happy you are going to celebrate in your special church on Christmas Eve and it is perfectly fine to shed those tears of joy! Your sweet little girl is wise beyond her age. She already knows that when her heart is filled to overflowing, it brings sweet tears of joy. Merry Christmas Anne. May you and your family be blessed.
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and yours, Anne! Memories are precious, and, our faith grounds us. BTW, “Oh Holy Night” is the one that gets me.