Christmas 2008

So, it's been a long time since I've blogged. I feel ashamed, but life happens and some things just have to wait. Christmas this year was really exciting. I had decided sometime in November to make as many Christmas presents as I could. This was both a challenge and, in the end, a blessing. I realized that the greatest thing you can in life is to serve. And serving isn't always going out of your way to help with something or even helping total stranger. In actuality sometimes it's just within the reaches of your own family. That was what I did.

Christmas was at Mom's this year, a total and complete change from the normal routine. In fact, it was actually nice. The turn out was reasonable, all things considered, and it was nice to have the family there. Dinner was delicious, thanks to Mom, Rich, and Grams. Of course I really ought to thank everyone because we couldn't have done it without help from everyone! And I can't forget to thank everyone who came either. Overall Christmas was a success. Not perfect, but what ever is?

Looking back at our Christmas I can't help but think that it's the spirit an meaning of Christmas that matters the most. Gramps went in the hospital on the 23rd, for minor short stay surgery. After hours and hours of waiting impatiently, Gramps made it out of surgery and we were able to talk to the doctor. Somewhere in our conversation he asked me what Santa was bringing me this year. I replied with a simple "Whatever he brings." He said that that was a very good attitude and then related a story that he had told his children when they were small. The story goes something like this:

There was this boy who wanted a bicycle for Christmas. It was the only thing he wanted and his mother knew she couldn't afford to buy to buy it for him. The boy prayed every night for his bicycle. Finally Christmas day had come and there was no bicycle. His mother said "I'm sorry that God didn't answer your prayer." The boy replied with "Yes he did. He just said no."

*tear* It's a wonderful story that protryed the meaning of Christmas to more than "Look what I got for Christmas!" or "Hey, look at how much Santa brought me!" Instead it's much more than that. I love Christmas for the spirit that it brings into the lives of others, and my life as well.