Stop being a Scrooge

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Christmas is less than two weeks away. 

I'm excited.  I love Christmas. I can't wait to see my kids faces when they come downstairs Christmas morning.  I can't wait to have our first holiday in our new home.

There's something magical about Christmas.  Christmas Eve, even more so.  The anticipation.  The decorations.  The chatting, the family, the friends.  The Christmas tree.

It makes me sad when people are negative about Christmas.

"Ugh, Christmas is going to be here so soon."

"I can't wait till Christmas is over."

"Don't even talk to me about Christmas."

Why?  Why are you so against this wonderful time of year? Did something terrible happen to you on Christmas once?  Are you holding resentment, anger, hurt because of the holiday?

Then I hear the people who are annoyed because they "have to spend time with my family."

This is my first Christmas without my mom. 

My mom loved Christmas.  She loved buying gifts, she loved decoration, she loved wearing festive, sparkly shirts.  She spent way too much money.  She did way too much.  She loved it.  There were 17 containers of indoor decorations in her basement.  Probably about 10 in the garage for outdoor decorations.  It was her favorite time of year.

My heart breaks that she will not be spending Christmas with me this year.  That I haven't gotten to hear her excitement over the gift she got me, that she wants to tell me, but that she will wait.  How much fun she had shopping for PJ and Maggie.  And her asking for help when finding something online.

I had 32 wonderful Christmases with my mom.  She taught me the spirit of the season, the spirit of giving.  She taught me how to make Christmas amazing for my own kids.

So enjoy your time with your family.  Appreciate them in all their craziness.  And family isn't always blood.  Whoever your family is, be grateful you can spend Christmas with them.

Merry Christmas in heaven Mom.