(Untitled)

[mobileoak]

As I hurry inside to escape the bone-chilling cold and snow, I'm greeted by a wave of heat and noise. The wood stove, kept fully stocked with summer-cut logs, radiates its heat throughout this cozy little cabin, deftly defying the sub-zero air outside. Inside, close to two dozen children are running around, playing games, talking, eagerly awaiting

Comments

[ceallaighgirl]

Hmm . . . the best way to fight darkness is with light. Christmas lights are a good way to start.

[astormorray]

We used to have Christmas at my parents house with a big tree and all the decorations, and stockings by the chimney. When I was in college we started going to my Grandmother's in Texas. It's never really felt like Christmas since. And now she's thinking that it's soon to be time to sell the house she was born in and go into a nursing home, and my aunt and uncle have bought a house in New Mexico, and for now will just be there for the summers, but soon they'll be gone, there won't even be Texas, and we'll be another homeless tribe.

I'm not sure that the problem isn't that we've all lost our fanaticism over Christmas.

[fruittart]

I think I saw your brother in CEFC, not this past Sunday but the one before. At least, I think it was him -- it surprised me to see him there without you!

So sorry about your grandparents and the loss of cherished traditions. Maybe your dad would let you take some of those treasured Christmas ornaments to your house rather than gathering dust in his attic? It's probably very hard for him too. And it doesn't hurt to hug your cute wife and start some new traditions of your own! ;-)

[rumblebrumble]

thats really sad. :(

the holidays should be a time that brings families closer together, not tears them apart. i am really sorry you feel this way.

it can all start with you though! you can break the cycle. by you not wanting decorations, etc., you are only continuing the cycle.

embrace your family, cherish what you still have, encourage family togetherness. start with your own family and extend out from there.

my mom died right before thanksgiving, and her being gone has shaken up our family considerably. i dont have a lot of the strong memories of christmas you described above, but all of us miss her and feel her absense constantly. i dont think i will after get over it, but i have been trying really hard to get closer to the family i still have....