Spirit of Christmas Past

I have fond memories of Christmas Past.  I guess the one thing it meant to me most was...family.  When I was young I always looked forward to Christmas because we usually made the trek from Albuquerque to Southern Sunny California.  Yeah it was much warmer in California than New Mexico that time of year but as a kid I probably could have cared less.  The thing I wanted to do was see my cousins.  We always had a ton of fun.  We played, we dreamed, we talked.  That was the best time.  It was just about as important as presents, but hey my cousins usually came with presents so Bonus.

Not only did we just see one family but I had Aunts and Uncles, Grandmas and Grandpas and much much more.  My Mom's side of the family often had a pretty big Christmas party.  Her Mother, my Grandmother had 4 sisters and they all had kids and grandkids.  Many of the grandkids were at least somewhat close in age so there again more fun playing.  As the families all got bigger we had to do that party further and further from Christmas because each sub-family had increasing obligations.  When I was young though we had a big tradition of lots of family.  My Dad's side of the family was much smaller by comparison but still very special.  My grandparents always made it a very special time.

I went to college in Southern California and got to see my family often.  The Holiday's didn't take on the same excitement as they had when we made the big trip each year.  It became a series of duties we had to perform at Christmas time.  I began to recognize that the Holidays can stress people out.  The adult world sometimes had a different feel to it.  I saw that some people loved to use the time together to complain.  Complain about their spouse, their kids, their health, their job and everything else in between.  I don't blame them life does that to people.  It can beat you down and you can find that all the joy is gone.

Christmas became an obligation.  The fun was draining.  I didn't get the same joy about it.  I began to figure if other people were put out by having to make an appearance why should I try.  I mean maybe if I didn't show they wouldn't have to and everything would be better for me and for them.  I don't think I actually every missed a Christmas Party (of course I could be wrong) but it sure seemed like a possibility.  I never really became a Scrooge but I certainly didn't get very excited about it.

Then it happened.  I met this girl...a beautiful young girl...a sexy, beautiful young girl...a sexy beautiful young girl who actually paid attention to me (so I married her).  She wouldn't let me become a Scrooge.  She loved Christmas still, loved the decorations, loved the presents, loved Santa, loved the Baby Jesus and the Nativity.  She loved Christmas trees and Christmas lights and Christmas candy.  She even loved the Chex Party Mix that everyone makes for the holidays.  Those were the days that Chex mix couldn't be purchased by the bag, Grandma had to make it...and she made it good.  My Aunt made all kinds of special Christmas Cookies and those were to die for.  My girlfriend, yeah I wasn't letting her get away, re-introduced me to Christmas.  As a family we decided to make Christmas a special time a wonderful time, a magical time.  It is a truly beautiful holiday. 

Maybe this young beautiful and sexy girl was my Spirit of Christmas Past.  She made me remember what Christmas was about, most importantly about a family.  Christmas is in deed about the beginning of a family.  I suppose you could say it was a blended family, part man and part God.  Talk about your differences.  Whether or not this event took place on December 25th or any other time that is the time we celebrate the beginning of that special family on Christmas Day.  I will try never to forget that.