Tuesday

Christmas Can Be A Conflicting Time

Normally, I update my blog on Thursdays but since this is Christmas week, I’ve decided to do it a bit early.

This time of year is very conflicting, isn’t it? For me, it’s a magical time filled with more smiles than normal, people acting more cheerful and giving, and a reason to be excited to get up every day. I love the beauty of the Christmas season with all its mesmerizing lights, decorations, the heartfelt and glorious music, and I must admit all the delicious holiday treats. As a child, I remember dreaming of all those things. One of my fondest memories of Christmas for me was laying directly under the Christmas tree and just staring up at the beautify of the glistening lights and wondering what the new year would bring. Of course I was also wondering what was inside the packages that were already underneath the tree and what Santa might bring me.

When I try to recall my favorite Christmas gift of all time, two come to mind. One was as a child. I was really into playing with Barbie’s big time and enjoyed getting nothing as much as a new Barbie. I loved the smell of a brand new one. Back then, my mother made most of our Barbie clothes and that was really special to get as well. Anyway, this one year I just couldn’t decide if I wanted a new Barbie or a new Ken doll. My mother told me I could only ask for one. I don’t recall which one I decided on, but that Christmas morning I was more than delighted to find not only a new Barbie but a Ken as well!! I was thrilled beyond belief!

My second most memorable Christmas gift was when I was an adult and married. I was lying in bed Christmas morning not yet ready to get up when to my complete surprise and delight; I felt something jumping on my bed. There before me was a brand new white and tan cocker spaniel puppy with freckles on her face jumping with delight to meet her new mommy. She was the most adorable thing I had ever seen!! My husband had gotten me the one thing I wanted more than anything and to me, there is nothing better than getting a new puppy for xmas!!

You might be wondering why I started this out by saying this time of year is very conflicting? Like I said earlier, for me, it’s a magical time but for others it’s a very sad time. If you have lost a loved one on or near Christmas, this time of year can be something you don’t look forward to or enjoy since then. I’ve been very fortunate in my life so far and never experienced that but I know many people who have. Therefore, I’d just like to say how very sorry I am and hope that you can find a way to try and enjoy the magic of Christmas again. The person you lost during this time of year would want you to.

Well I don’t plan to do much writing in the next week or two but am looking forward to the new year and starting right back up full force again! Here’s wishing everyone a great holiday season, thanks for your support, and I’ll see ya back here in 2012!


17 comments:

  1. My Favorite Christmas Memory was when Linda & I went to the basement to play and found the huge box of wrapped Christmas Present's. We looked at each other and said WoW ...... we must of really been good this year, Just Wait Till Santa Comes !!! LOL. Other Great Memory's was the Christmas Programs we Did in the Church at St. Marys ... Priceless !

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  2. One of my favorite christmas gifts as a child was the Holly Hobby Oven. I wanted it so badly and I was so afraid I wouldn't get it. I did get it by the way and loved every moment of it.

    I also wont be doing much writing for the rest of the year. We all deserve a break now and then.

    ctny

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  3. Oh Susan, your memories bring back memories to me! Not of the St. Mary programs but one year my brother and I found our xmas presents too. We peaked at every single one of them. Then on xmas morn were so disappointed because there was not one surprise since we'd seen them all!! We never did THAT again!

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  4. Courtney,
    I never got a Holly Hobby Oven but got an Easy Bake Oven and boy was that fun. No better cakes in all the world than those baked in that play oven!

    Enjoy your break in Disney!

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  5. Such a sweet little puppy! I can’t tell you how much I would love a puppy but I know it won’t happen. Our son lives in Australia, we live in the UK and we can’t stand the thought of leaving a dog in kennels over Christmas – so until our son comes home or we go to live in Australia – no puppy for me. Two childhood presents that I’ve never forgot are a Mr. Potato Head and a Muffin the Mule puppet. Have a wonderful Christmas I look forward to reading more of your posts in 2012.
    Barbara
    marchhousebookscom.blogspot

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  6. Merry Christmas, Allyn. One of my best presents was a CD player and a CD of the Phantom of the Opera. That was the first present I cried over.

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  7. Merry Christmas. I love hearing of your Christmas dreams. And what a wonderful sight, to lay under a tree looking up. Now adays, as I get down to put a package under the tree, I am so grateful to get back up. Ha-ha. Old age. What can I say? The Christmas lights in the picture are BEAUTIFUL and I love the little picture of your puppy. Allyn I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and I hope your husband surprises you with what you want the most again this year. Take care and God bless you.

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  8. Merry Christmas, Allyn. That was such an adorable puppy! I didn't celebrate X'mas when I was a child because though the festival was always around, it wasn't a big part of our culture. In recent years, I've begun enjoying shopping for gifts. I still love handwritten cards best (the ones with longer messages than 'Merry X'mas and a Happy New Year'), and I'm glad I wrote one to a very dear friend this year!

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  9. Allyn, I know what you mean. My mom lost her grandmother and mother this time of year. It's very difficult for her, and every year, I feel her loss. I never met my great-grandmother, but the loss of my grandmother was hard for me. I'm tearing up just typing this. But at the same time, I love the Christmas season. It's very conflicting, but definitely full of emotion.
    Merry Christmas to you and your family, Allyn.

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  10. Barbara,

    I hate boarding our animals too and won't do that if I know they will be stuck in a kennel all day. We are lucky to have found a nice doggy day care where they get to run and play most the day. they aren't kept in kennels but are divided from each other with chicken wire and plenty of room, plus they get a doggy bed and everything. And the best part is , it's cheap!! In the past, I've always been able to find a dog sitter to come feed them, let them out, take for walks. Anyway, I get what you are saying.
    Have a great christmas!

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  11. Cat,
    I love Phantom of the Opera!! One of my fav's. Merry Christmas to you!

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  12. Deb,

    Ha ha, I completely agree with you on the getting under the tree nowadays!! Maybe that's why it's such a good memory now, as I can barely do that anymore! Merry Christmas to you and your family. See ya in 2012!

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  13. Claudine,
    You get christmas cards with actual notes? Wow, those days been gone a long time for me. Actually this year we have barely gotten a single card! Guess the email is taking away all our treasured past times. I'm glad you wrote a nice not to your friend too. I'm sure it will be treasured. Have a great holiday season!

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  14. Kelly,
    Sorry about your grandmother and great-grandmother but am glad to see you are still keeping a positive outlook at this time of the year anyway. Your daughter needs that. Bet she is going to be a ball this year on xmas morning! Enjoy and merry xmas to you and your family as well!

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  15. You are so right, Allyn. When I feel in the dumps about my circumstances, I think of other families going through worse things than me. We need to pray for them, and help uplift when we can!

    Merry Christmas!

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  16. Allyn,
    You're so right when you talk about people who have lost someone this year. When I think about the people that I've lost this year, I get teary. I then remember those that I still have (both friends & family) & remember that the deceased would want us to have a Merry Christmas!

    Do I have a favorite Christmas present? Sure! One year when I was little I got a beautiful bride doll from Santa. I loved that doll. Several months went by & the doll disappeared. Magically, I recieved her (I named her Susie) for Christmas again. My mom had made a new and had gotten new shoes for her. I still have Susie.

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  17. Wishing you a blessed new year, Allyn!

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