These are a few of my favorite things. . .

As Christmas approaches I decided to reflect on this past year and in doing so I was flooded with many memories of Christmases past. For the past nine Christmases I was unable to spend it with Family.  So this Christmas is going to be very special for Don and me.  But as I stated the reflection flooded me with may memories that I wanted to share . . .

Christmas memory number one

Mom's Cardboard Fireplace:  Even though we did not have a fireplace Mom made sure that we had a place to "hang our stockings with care" and yes Santa Claus did visit and there was many a year that I had a lump of coal in my stocking.  I knew there was a chance that I would get some. . .and I thank Santa (Mom & Dad) for allowing me to make those mistakes and learn from them to make me who I am today.  So I say bring on the coal.

Christmas Memory Number two

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer:  Growing up on the farm and having only two TV stations, I enjoyed the time of the year when the Christmas Specials came on, we would finish with supper and gather around the TV a 19 inch TV to watch these Christmas specials commercials included.  Looking back at the simplicity of these shows and the great messages that they provided use youngings.  After watching Rudolph, everyone knew that even the misfits had a place at Christmas.  Long live the Misfits and it is ok if you want to be different. . .say a dentist.  Ok so I am not a dentist.  But you get the message.

Christmas Memory Number 3

Grandpa and Grandma Pettigrew's Bubble Christmas lights, as kid I was so fascinated with Grandpa and Grandma's bubblelights and I can still remember how Grandma would say that sometimes they work and sometimes they don't  they always light up but it was the bubbling she would be talking about.  The family tradition was to head to their house on Christmas day for Christmas dinner and then open the presents.  Grandma would be making the Turkey and Grandpa would be sitting in his rocking chair with a smile on his face as his grandchildren looked at the tree and the presents, mostly looking at the presents. . But I tell you I was looking at the lights, waiting for the bubbles.  It amazes me that These two special people in my life are gone but the lessons they taught me and the memories I have will always be in my heart. . . Bubble lights who knew.  I miss those lights!

Christmas Memory Number 4

Grandma Peterson's Green Christmas Tree Cookies, the running joke with my family and cousins were these cookies, there were burned on the edges, no a light browning but a black smudge, ok not all of them but most of them were that way.  Yet even the cookies was slightly imperfect, they still tasted good.  Grandmas would make these every year and every year they would be taken for granted.  Until that one year and the years that followed that they were not on the goodie table.  I have many memories of Grandma and I will always cherish them and I will always miss these cookie,  but I am so glad that I had the opportunity to have them each year and I so glad for the many lesson that Grandma taught me.  1. Bingo 2.  It is ok to drink cold coffee 3.  Be who you want to be.  Damn I miss those cookies!

So my challenge to you during this hustle and bustle time of the year is take the time to reflect on your Christmases past, If some of your traditions have been stopped, start them up again.  Christmas is about family and tradition.  And as the Grinch said it so well . . .

"How could it be so?"

"It came with out ribbons! It came without tags!"

"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"

And he puzzled three hours, till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store."

"Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!"

However the Grinch forgot two things:

                And

Merry Christmas To You All and may the Memories and Traditions continue throughout the year and the years to come!

~Jason