I'm back at the car dealership, and since they block Facebook in their internet cafe, I guess I will blog again. :-)
Last night was the first of the family Christmas get-togethers. It was great, but as I left my dad's house, my van ended up in a ditch. To make a long story short, after numerous attempts by my male relatives to get it out of the ditch, I ended up paying a nice guy named Jeff $63 to pull it out with his tow truck. We made the hour and a half drive home safely, but the brakes were doing something funny (sorry, I can't be any more accurate than that - I'm female!), so here I am at the garage again.
I'm struggling. I want so badly to maintain an attitude of gratitude and to be happy and upbeat for the sake of my kids. And I do have so very much to be grateful for. But the unexpected expense is making that difficult.
Additionally, Christmas Eve was one of my favorite times in my marriage. We would attend a candlelight service as a family, then come home, do the final "Adornament," and send the kids to bed. Then we would wait for the kids to fall asleep so we could play Santa. Once the stockings were stuffed and the gifts set out under the tree, we'd turn down the lights, and by the light of the tree, we'd exchange gifts with each other. It was probably the most romantic part of each year. I miss those times.
This afternoon, I will be taking my two middle kids to a movie. Then this evening, we will attend the Christmas Eve service. I am hoping these two events will lift my spirits some, because I really, really want to be able to focus on the reason for the season.
May you all have a very blessed Christmas, and know that I am praying especially for those of you who are coping with changed family situations this year. God is good, and He did, after all, send His son Jesus, also known as Emmanuel, God with us. We are blessed indeed!
5 comments:
I'm so sorry, car trouble at this time of the year is horrible...we've been there.
I know your lonely and your missing the old traditions...(I went to Giant Eagle and talk about traditions...I was happy to see so many people getting ready for the holidays!)...my dear friend, your life has changed and you have grown into a deeper relationship with our Lord. You need to lean heavily on that relationship and work on putting the past behind you and forge new traditions.
Our Christmas this year is very different and very sad, we have lost so many this year and it has really changed our holiday spirit...honestly, I just want to go home and pretend the holiday never came...but in my heart, it's not about me and what I want...we need to corperately celebrate our Saviors birth...think about what he has done for us...back to not about me or you.
God with us...the theme of this year for me...love you friend, hope I didn't hurt you, not my intention...light the advent candle and rejoice for Christ has come for you, for your children and for the world!
I'll catch you sometime today or tomorrow...probably tomorrow since your going to the movies.
Creating new traditions and memories are how I've dealt with grief and loss. Still remember the good times!
I agree, creating a new "normal" is going to make this time of year easier for you. That's what we did this year, and yes, it was different, but not different in a bad way, just a new normal :) And it can be different every year or not, our choice!!
I don't know how Trey got there, that was Scottie who commented, not Trey hehehe.
Sad thing is, we have a new "normal," and last year it didn't bother me as badly. But this year, there was a big ache there in advance. When it came right down to it, though, I was fine. I kept busy on Christmas Eve and barely gave it a thought.
Oh, and I will NOT be making visits to the garage for car repairs a new normal for Christmas if I have my way, LOL!
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