Monday, December 22, 2014

A Different Kind of Christmas

This year we have a different kind of Christmas.... a very different kind of Christmas. People have asked me, "Are you all ready for Christmas?" I cringe at the question because, no, I am not..... not at all. Since Dad's open heart surgery several weeks ago, our days have been consumed with caring for Dad... and Mom; with making trips to the hospital or rehab center, with updating family and friends, with keeping meals going, interacting with health care workers.... and more.




The tree is up... and a few decorations are up... because the kids did it. :)  



As I considered not being "ready" for Christmas, I realized that what people mean about being ready for Christmas, is if we have all of our gifts bought and wrapped.... all of the cards out, Christmas picture taken, holiday plans made, and more. So, in that sense, no, I am certainly not ready... at all. 


I usually shop through the year at garage sales or other sales and pick up items on sale... at great prices... and then I save them until Christmas. We don't do a lot or have extravagant gifts, but we get a few things... mostly needed things along with a fun thing.
  The kids all give gifts to each other and to us... and we emphasize creativity and thoughtfulness over spending a lot of money. I am so blessed as I see the thought they put into their gifts for each other... maybe a certain kind of candy they know a brother likes... or a pretty necklace for a sister... or a gas card for a brother who buys a lot of gas...  or personalized drawings for each person or more. I love it.

 So......... this year, we aren't "ready". We don't have gifts figured out, I haven't written a Christmas newsletter, the Christmas pictures aren't copied, the Christmas meal isn't figured out...and we don't even know who will be here... or how many on Christmas Day.
 No, we just aren't "ready".   We are very very tired.... just plain worn out and weary.

 We are also thankful... thankful that my dad is still alive this Christmas to be with us as he could have very easily died from the heart problems... and was close to death.

If you haven't read it, the story is here... When An Emergency Strikes


 We are also thankful to be a family... to be together.... to have a home...
 We recognize that God has sustained us for a very long difficult time... we marvel.... and are thankful.
 We see that there is still a long road ahead of us... for helping Mom and Dad... and for resting up and doing all the stuff that has been let go in this time.  We also know that God will continue to equip us... after all, His mercies are new every morning and His faithfulness is great. I am so thankful for what He has done and will do. I am determined to trust Him.

As I ponder the reason for celebrating Christmas, I realize that
maybe we are "ready" for Christmas after all. :) 


I hope you remember and enjoy our Lord and Saviour at this season... no matter what is going on at your house.  A "different" kind of Christmas may not be so bad after all.

Thank you for visiting.




Shared on:


Paula's No Rules Weekend Party
Ducks N A Row
Final Homestead Barn Hop
Modest Mom Monday
The Art of Homemaking
Making Your Home Sing Monday
Motivation Monday
Wholehearted Wednesday
Homemaking Link Up
Whatever Goes Wednesday
Wake Up Wednesday
Make Bake and Create
Hip Homeschool Hop
Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Tea Time Tuesday

18 comments:

  1. Beautifully written from your heart and it touched mine too! Praying our Savior gives you and your family peace and healing during this special season.
    Nancy

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    1. Thank you.... I am so glad it also touched your heart... I was hoping it would portray what I was thinking accurately. Thank you for visiting. :)

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  2. What a beautiful post. Your family has the true holiday spirit. What a wonderful way you showed glimpses through the glass. I am wishing you a peaceful Christmas and all the best in 2015. All the best wishes for your parents.

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    1. Thank you, what a blessing to hear this. The pictures are the result of a new clear cube from the thrift store, that I was experimenting with... and I liked the effect. Thank you for visiting.

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  3. A very timely post...this is a different Christmas here...my husband with Parkinson's Disease has just gotten off a heart monitor after 10 days...results tomorrow...and, although much more minor than your family's health issue...I just haven't been able to do much this year. Having cared for very ill family members for several months, it is taxing, tiring and emotionally draining it is. God bless you and your family. I'll be praying for your family. Thanks to Jesus that He knows and sustains indeed! Thanks for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea and Merry Christmas my friend.
    Ruth

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    1. What a lovely comment... I love how encouraging all of these comments are... what a blessing to me. :) I hope your load gets easier and I am glad your husband is off of the heart monitor... that is a big thing. Thank you for visiting.

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  4. I haven't done much this year in the way of decorating and it has made a difference in my energy level. I used to decorate every room in the house but no longer. Caring for family is very tiring but your family has the right Christmas spirit. God bless you all as you center on Him this Christmas and also minister to your father. The Lord is there in the center of it all and He will bless and sustain you all as you celebrate His birth this Christmas. Thank you for taking time out of your very busy schedule to join me for tea. Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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    1. Again, I feel so encouraged reading your words! You have been a blessing to me today and I am so glad you visited. :)

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  5. Christmas Blessings to you. I will continue my prayers for your and your family.

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    1. Thank you so much.... and the prayers are so appreciated. I am glad you visited. Thank you. :)

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  6. Prayers for you all and best wishes for a blessed new year.

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    1. Thank you! I hope you also have a wonderful holiday. :)

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  7. We were also not ready for Christmas - didn't even have a tree this year. We were still able to happily celebrate a blessed Christmas and have fun with family and friends. The gifts just got stacked on a chair. :) I'm glad to hear that your Dad is still with you and I pray for you and yours as we head into 2015. from Jendi

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    1. Christmas is still precious, even w/o being ready, isn't it? Thank you for your comment and I hope you have a wonderful start to the year.... thank you for your prayers. :)

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  8. I think that Christmas is what you make it and that family are far more important than what has or has not been done. Christmas is a special time and will always be special whatever you decide to do to mark the day. I ran away with my boys as Christmas reminds us all of when their dad contracted fatal meningitis (on the 26th December) and so, whilst we wanted to mark the day, being at home with happy family and memories was not what we needed. I love your photographs and words. Best wishes to you and your family for 2015

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    1. I agree... it is special and sounds like you found a way to make your time special also. I am so sorry for the pain you and your boys are going through. May God comfort you and give you hope. I am so glad you visited and I prayed for you.

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  9. I think this Christmas will be a bit different for all of us. We need to remember why we celebrate it though and give thanks. Thanks so much for linking up with me at #AThemedLinkup 34 for All Things Christmas.

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  10. It certainly will be a different Christmas this year... and yet we do have much to give thanks to God for. :)

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