Dear E.B.
Your mommy is very ashamed to admit that this year she was feeling a little Scroogy about Christmas. Oh, I had every intention of making Christmas fun and special for you as we’ve always tried to do since you were born, but in my heart I just wasn’t feeling the holiday spirit. There were so many reasons as to why (and someday you will understand grown up things like the economy and all of that) and I had just about made up my mind that we would just go through the motions this year for your sake.
But then the end of November began approaching and our town started to hang up Christmas lights. The downtown shop owners decked their stores in lights and Christmas trees, the store aisles became filled with green and red decorative holiday items and you began requesting to watch The Polar Express over and over. (It’s your favorite Christmas movie and has been since you were a little over a year old) We also started driving around town and the neighborhoods checking out everyone’s Christmas lights and decorations.
And it’s during our rides around town checking out lights that you exclaim, “Look Mama!! LOOK!!”, “Isn’t it beautiful!!!”, and “Look at dat!!!” Or, “Turn, turn!!!” when we reach the street that you know has the most Christmas lights. You helped me decorate our Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. You helped Daddy hang up the lights outside, and everytime you see someone close to your age in a restaurant or store, you wave and call out, “Merry Christmas!” as loud as you can.
This is the first year that you “get” what Christmas involves and I wish more than anything I could bottle it up and save it all. All the excitement, all the wonder, and all of the times you quitely whisper, “Mama, is it Christmastime?” while I rock you to sleep each night in the rocking chair beside the Christmas tree.
Were it not for you, E.B., I would be too busy to notice the beautiful lights and sounds. I’d be too busy to watch Christmas movies. I’d feel too old and silly to make wish lists. I would stress over gift-buying. In essence, I would miss everything so simple, special, and wonderful about Christmas.
And because of you, all of those Scroogy feelings I had about the holidays are gone.
And yes, sweetie, it is Christmastime.
Love,
Mama
The kids definitely the ones who put the magic in the season! A lovely letter – E. B. will appreciate it in the years ahead!
This is SO true. When I think back of my best Christmas memories, they are all from my childhood, and usually involve things that probably took my parents a lot of work to pull off. So now I know that although the holidays can be a lot of work, in the end it is all worth it when the little kiddies can see the magic in the season. Love the post!
*sniff* That was absolutely beautiful….ahh to see life through the eyes of a child.
Awww – this is beautiful.
I feel the same way: Graham is 3 and this is the first Christmas he really gets it. It REALLY is wonderful how they make Christmas seem so special again.
That was too sweet. I love when all those things start to put me in the holiday mood.
That is awesome post! I love’d it and you are so right about being to busy to enjoy the little things that make Christmas so special.. Kid’s have a way of reminding us of the simple things …
hey girl, we are driving across and down to Ms, then we are going to fl, maybe we can see you while we are there. We’ll be there next sat. and sunday:)
your posts are so great! your a rockin’ mama!
Leigh-NC
thank goodness for our kids!
You got me all weepy over here. I miss the simple part of Christmas too. Now that I have a little one, I’m enjoying things more. Merry Christmas.
Beautiful post, Mandy. A wonderful read.
Same thing happening at our house. It is nice, no? And E.B., you are one sweet, sweet little boy. Merry Christmas!
Isn’t it amazing how kids in their innocence can turn our attitudes around.
That’s pretty sweet…
A beautiful post!
Ok, this is just the sweetest letter. Sometimes it just takes their eyes to make us see!
What a beautiful post. I’m so glad you are feeling the holiday spirit. I understand why you might not, but it’s all about THEM isn’t it?
Happy Holidays.
Awwww…I’m all teary-eyed! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be innocent and carefree again so we could savor the holidays as our children do! Thanks for sharing!
“I wish more than anything I could bottle it up and save it all.” Indeed – it amazes me each year, seeing Christmas through my son’s eyes.
Awww…this is lovely.