For most of us, the semester is just starting or about to and none of us are ready for it. So, I figured, why not talk about Christmas as I run away from my ever growing to do list for fall.
Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. I didn't enjoy it growing up, but since I went to college, I have truly started to love it. For some it means going home for the holidays, for others, it's making new traditions with your friends. For me, Christmas has become one of my favorite holidays because of the people.
My second year of college, finances got tight, and I ended up not being able to fly home for Christmas, so, my friend and her family kindly opened up their home to me. I will never forget the awe that I was in when my friend told me. My first thought was, 'Have they lost their minds? Why are they letting me stay with them? And they said they want me to stay? No way.' I quickly learned, these people weren't just my friend and her family, they were my family, and what still baffles me, is they consider me part of their family. So, at the end of the semester, I packed up my stuff and went to stay with my newfound Florida family.
First things first, we picked out a Christmas tree. This was a completely different experience. Note to self: I was not in Oregon anymore... First of all, I couldn't remember the last time I had picked out a Christmas tree, so I was already getting excited, and it wasn't even Christmas. So naturally, when we got home we decorated the tree. I was content to sit on the couch and watch, but that was not allowed. My friend looked at me like, 'Are you gonna get yourself over here and help? Or are you gonna just watch?' So I quickly got up and started decorating with them. Who knew that you could have misplaced tinsel? I didn't, so I just left that bit to them. So, it was official; it was Christmas break and now we could sit and enjoy the tree and hot cocoa.
Now that the tree was up we were able to enjoy the next few weeks. Fast forward to the week before Christmas: the family arrives. I thought to myself, surely, this is going to be super awkward random person spending Christmas with the family. Boy was I wrong, they walked through the door and hugged me like I was just the third child that they hadn't seen in years. It was official: grandpa liked me -- I was in with the family. Over the next few days we talked, we ate food, played games, and got ready for Christmas. Now, I know this is all super normal for most of you, but for me, this was such a new phenomena. I was celebrating Christmas with the family.
Christmas morning. What a glorious and beautiful thing. First of all, there is this family tradition that they have that I didn't know about till Christmas: chocolate pie for breakfast. I mean, who would say no to that tradition?? Then stockings, the Christmas story, and presents. Once all of that was done we spent the day watching movies that we got as presents, everything from Despicable Me, which we all love, to Elf, which has always been my favorite Christmas movie. Christmas of 2013 will always be one for the books.
For most, Christmas has always been a fun holiday, but for me, my favorite Christmas will always be the most recent one that I spent with the family. Each year it is a new and glorious adventure, but I will always cherish the years that I have the opportunity and blessing to spend it with my Florida family. While it wasn't a typical or normal Christmas, I will never forget it.
So as the semester starts to wear you down with stress, remember, only 15 more Mondays till Christmas. We can make it.
