So, I’ve decided to start doing “Throwback Thursday” and repost one of my favorite past posts, in case someone missed it. Today, I selected my post at “random” based on the post with the most views of all time.
The original post is here. New thoughts are in parentheses down below:
I’ve spent quite of bit of time today feeling like this Christmas has been a failure of epic proportions. Christmas has always meant so much to me, and I have traditions for my boys that are very near and dear to my heart. Plus, this is the third Christmas I’ve been single, and if you had asked me in 2009 how long I thought I’d be single, I would have said something about how I wanted to be single and planned on spending my life that way.
As for Christmas traditions with my boys…we have a special nativity set that I love to share with them and it never got unpacked – we usually work on it the week leading up to Christmas. Then, on Christmas morning….there is a magic to reading the story of the birth of Christ and then watching them open presents. It didn’t happen that way this year. Christmas happened a week early for us, and it was rushed. Thankfully I have my little sister, my “twin” sister by adoption and our adoptive Mama to spend time with. My boys also spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day away from home.
Why are these traditions so important, and how does missing them make Christmas feel like such an epic failure?
Because the traditions we establish ground our families and help us remember who we are and what is important to us. Traditions allow us a familiarity in life that helps us cope with the changes that often take us by surprise. They allow us to pass values down to our children, and they give us a foundation for basing our celebrations and family times on. When all else falls by the wayside, traditions are there to help us keep a grasp on life.
Yes, this is one of my romantic notions for life….
(Wow. As a re-read my own words, I remember how lonely I was feeling Christmas 2011. It was hard to be without the boys, too. I survived that Christmas, and even have some wonderful memories that I look back on. Now, I’m remarried and Christmas 2012 was spent trying to blend traditions with my wonderful husband and our kids. I hope you enjoyed this first Throwback Thursday!)
Regina Walker 
Aw, I’m sorry that your Christmas was so disappointing that year, Regina! Hopefully that rough patch passed, though, and things are happier now. 🙂
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Thank you Amy. The rough patch passed, and I learned a lot during that season. Now, I’m enjoying a “spring season” in life, with lots of new growth, and that fresh, easy-going sense.
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