christmas eve

I'm blessed to have spent Christmas Eve with both my girls. I rarely see Maria anymore. 19 and living at her dad's, her priorities are clubbin' and, luckily, doing well in university. If you didn't already know, she and I have a history of a very stressed relationship. When she does come over, I feel it is actually to see her sister (Christie, 15) and the dog (Snoop, 9), not me.

I don't expect hugs, kisses, or I love you's from Maria. She doesn't welcome those things from me either, which used to hurt a lot, but now it just hurts a little for a short time. I am just grateful if there is peace and respect. On Christmas Eve it should be easy to get along. And we did.

The biggest compliment to me was that she chose to spend the night here and sleep over. It felt nice...complete...to have her back in the house, make up her bed again for her, cook for her. To be able to have them both wake up here on Christmas morning makes a mama smile.

:D

merry christmas eve

Holy smokes, where have I been? I feel like I've been swallowed by the month of December. Now that it's Christmas Eve, and everything's ready to go, I'm just coming up for air.

What I think about Christmas Eve is that it is perhaps the most magical night of the whole year. After the intensity of all the preparation, the stress of shopping, and spending, and baking and wrapping and the onslaught of crappy weather.........it all dies down to a hush on this night.

Everything stops for a moment and it seems that the true meaning of Christmas emerges. For me it's a chance to breathe it in. It's highly emotional as I am reminded of how blessed I am. Sure there are plenty of presents under the tree, but it's not even about that. I'm healthy, I have a decent job, and freedom. But more than anything, it's about the love I feel.

Love for my girls, my family, my boyfriend Rob, and God. And pretty much everyone else. The more love I feel, the more I get. I wish the same for everyone on this planet. Merry Christmas Eve.