Our Enduring Christmas Tradition

From "Elf on the Shelf" to cookie exchanges, there are plenty of Christmas traditions to choose from. But for book lovers, this is an enduring tradition in my family that I'd love share with you! I started doing this when my oldest was 5, which means my family has been doing it for 17 years!

It's simple: I gather our Christmas picture books and check out Christmas picture books from the library and wrap them in Christmas wrapping paper. Then I put the books out, and every day one child will choose a book to unwrap. Then I read the book aloud.

That's it!

I usually wrap only a few books at a time (library books go first, and I try to reuse the paper if possible). If you wrap all 24 books beforehand, you have an Advent calendar! My children look forward to hearing their favorites, and we are also always on the look out for new favorites. And who doesn't like to pull off wrapping paper and see what's hidden underneath?

If you're looking for some wonderful Christmas books, here is the link to my post Our Favorite Christmas Books! 

There are so many beautiful Christmas stories out there; I hope you discover a few this year!

Christmas Memories

I had forgotten about my last blog post. 

"Sometimes, a writer writes just because..."

Now I wrote a song that I can't sing.

It's not because the notes are too difficult or the range is too high. It's because every time I try to sing it, tears start streaming down my face.

But I had to write it.

A few months ago, my friend told me that she has cancer. She is 36 years old. Then soon after, I learned that a young girl I know has cancer. She is 15.

My heart at times feels like it's held in a vise. I want to yell, but I have no words. When I visit, I see the parents smiling, but with a sad, tired look in their eyes. If my heart feels like it's in a vise at times, their hearts must feel like that every day. Day in and day out, around the clock, they are selflessly caring for their daughters, while knowing that there is no hope for recovery. I can't imagine the feeling of watching my child in pain, slowly becoming a shadow of the person I knew. I can't imagine how Christmas, usually a joyous time, will be for these families this year.

And so, I wrote this song. For them, for me, for you if you've lost a child. I find myself holding my little one closer these days. Remember, you have only so many Christmases with your children.

Christmas Memories

I have Christmas memories

Of you seated on my knee

As I read you stories in the glow 

of lights upon the tree

I have Christmas memories

Of the sound of little feet

Running to my bed to wake me 

with your laughter and your glee

Long ago

But it feels like yesterday

When I watched you run and play

Then I held you as you slowly slipped away

So many Christmas memories

Some are sad and some are sweet

Now my only Christmas wish is to hold you close 

Just like I used to do

And to make more Christmas memories with you

Writing a Memoir

Sometimes, a writer writes just because, without really knowing why. It's a way to get thoughts and emotions out.

I started doing that a few weeks ago. I felt prompted to write a memoir of sorts, but without knowing what I would do with it. I just wanted to put my memories down on paper, to sort through some details and record them before I forgot.

But I still wasn't sure what I would do with it once it was done. Writing a memoir is scary. It's my life on paper. But at the same time, it feels pointless. I'm no one special. This isn't going to the autobiography of Julie Andrews or Ghandi or something. Who would read it?

But then I remembered that I had the same thought fourteen years ago.

"Who would want to read what I wrote?!"

So I didn't write.

Until...

I realized that some of my thoughts could be a benefit to some people. Maybe not everyone. Maybe not all my thoughts. But someone out there could read what I write and have a revelation.

So I started a blog.

Anyway, fourteen years later, I'm finishing up my memoir of sorts. I'll let you know when it's ready, just in case you're someone who might want to read it.