| So, here it is, Christmas season again. I hope that everyone out there remembers the true meaning of what Christmas is. It's when someone who was born with the sole purpose in his life was to bring understanding, love, and forgivness to everyone he touched. But more than that, he lived so that he may die for us. To this day, he still teaches us. I want to just share a few memories of mine with you all. I always have a rough go of it this time of year so bear with me if some are not happy memeories. I recall when I was just a small child, every Christmas Eve, my great-grandparents would come to our house. And on that night, my mother who still to this day, fixed homemade chili and cinnamon rolls for us to all share. I remember, waiting anxiously for them to arrive. Grandpa was a WWI Veteran, and I recall sitting on his lap. He never told me any stories that I can recall, probably because I was only 3-4 years old. But I can see his face as though he was here with me now. Grandma Grace would then walk through the door and we'd all be happy. A kind of tradition started back then, we got to open the gifts from them on that night, they were the only ones we were allowed to open until the morning. Then it happened, Grandpa passed on, and Dad went the next couple of years to get Grandma and the tradition continued. Grandma passed on when I was around five or six and the house kind of started to feel empty to me on Christmas eve. I still carry on that tradition of the Grandparents' presents on Christmas Eve. Thanks to a thoughtful and understanding ex-wife, our kids are with my parents on that evening. Christmas hasn't been the same since then. They seem empty. Even with my children here by my side. Every year we put the tree up together. The four of us assemble the thing, (yes it's fake), and the three kids then take turns putting on the ornaments and Samantha, who is now six, has now inherited the task of placeing the angel on the tree top. When it's all done, Matthew and Samantha usually wait for Taby and I to turn out the lights and plug in the tree. After a few minutes, they run off to play leaving Taby, my oldest, and I alone to sit and watch the wonder of it all, reflect on years gone by, and to wish her brother and sister and Merry Christmas in heaven. We sit, listen to Christmas music and then usually end up crying in each other's arms. It is then that I call my ex-wife and wish her a Merry Christmas and thank her for the wonderful gift of these children that she has given to everyone who comes into contact with them. I also think about when my brother and sisters and I would all get together with our kids, (I didn't have any yet the last time that happend), at Mom and Dad's house for dinner on Christmas. It didn't happen too often because we got spread out over the Midwest, but when it did, I could see the love and pride showing in Mom and Dad's eyes. Mom was always working in the kitchen with everyone helping out where they could, or sitting in the living room catching up on things. That was so many years ago. Must be at least 16 or 17 years. I remember Nakita's Christmas. She was so beautiful in her little outfit that Mommy had bought her. We were a new family just starting out, not much money for gifts but it was the happiest Christmas I'd had in a long while. I had my wife and my two daughters. I was overjoyed at the site of the three of them opening the gifts. I treasure the pictures and memories I have of her and her only Christmas here with us. Things are still tough this time of year, but we always make it through with smiles and laughter and most importantly, with love. Next to life, the emotion and feelings of love is God's greatest gift to us all. Please take the time to allow yourself to share that gift with someone. Do something nice for a stranger. When your in line waiting to pay for something at Wal-mart, instead of getting upset because the little old lady in front of you is digging in her purse for that penny, reach into your pocket and offer it to her. The person behind you at the fast food drive through, while you are paying for your order, pay for theirs, then just drive away knowing that you made someone feel just a little better about the world and how kind it really can be. Just try to remember what it's all about. Jesus gave us his life, that's what the presents represent, maybe give just a small part of yours so that when he looks down upon us he'll smile. I wish you all the best in the year to come and a very Merry Christmas. Darrin L. Broyhill |
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