The Twelve Days of Christmas - The Small Things

                                                                                                                                                Photo by Nick Fewings

I've shared some of my unforgettable memories—the reasons why family and friends are at the heart of Christmas for me. The people we love make up such an essential part of our Christmas memories.

My mom died of breast cancer when I was a teenager. Her death has defined my life in so many ways I can't describe them all, at least not in this short blog. But this note is not about death and sadness. It is about love and friendship. My mother's best friend was her sister, and her sister became my surrogate mother after my mom died. I have always been close to my auntie and her daughters. My auntie called me her fourth daughter, and my cousins have treated me like a sister. 

I've spent most of my Christmas' with my auntie and her family. Years ago, the house was full of people. Relatives had come from Manitoba, which made Christmas especially exciting that year. I got to snuggle into bed with one of my older cousins, whom I adored (still do), and getting to sleep with her, was a treat. But she sleeps with her eyes partly open, and that was disconcerting when Santa was on his way, and I had to get to sleep! Many years later, after I had my own home, sometimes Husband and I would pick my auntie up on Christmas Eve. We'd bring her to our house so that we could enjoy Christmas morning together. We would go out of our way to spoil her with lots of presents to open and delicious food to devour. That's what she did for us for all those years in between. Once breakfast was over, we would pile into our car and join the rest of the family to play games and eat turkey and fritter the day away. When my auntie became elderly, we reverted to staying at her house. And, even though Husband and I had an uncomfortable sleep on the sofa bed, that did not matter. We weren't spring chickens anymore ourselves, and our backs hurt after a bleary-eyed sleep, but what mattered was our togetherness.

Small memories like that are what makes Christmas great. The effort people put into being together. The thoughtful things we do for one another and the kind ways we treat each other. Being included and being part of something greater than ourselves helps us to feel love. This year might be a time to start a new tradition for you. Create more small memories. Treat yourself if you are alone. Do something different that you've always wanted to do but haven't yet. You'll look back and say, "Remember that year that we...." This year has certainly made us think differently about how to live and what we want from life. The compilation of small memories is what makes life worth remembering.

That's it for now. Remember to get your entry in for the Book Club Give Away Challenge by tomorrow at midnight. Have yourself the best day. I'll speak to you tomorrow.

TJCorman