Christmas Gifts

If I were totally honest and only looking at my emotions, I would say that unequivocally this has been my saddest Christmas ever. Yes, 2022 has left some pretty big holes in my heart, and Christmas seems pretty bleak this year. However, that’s not what I choose to focus on today. Instead, I lean into my faith, and thank God for the abundance of amazing gifts that have been bestowed on me over a lifetime of Christmases.

Sure, there are some big empty holes in my heart this Christmas. But, this season I choose to embrace and hold even closer the priceless gifts from those who have gone before me:

I thank my father who humbly followed God, and led by example showing me how to put God first, and care about others before himself.

I thank my mother who rose up every morning and graciously taught me how to live a life that honored God.

I thank my oldest sister who showed me the way of salvation and led me to Christ before I could even read or write. 

I thank my next to the oldest sister who gave me guidance that helped me course-correct my life when I needed someone to speak into me.

I thank my baby sister who I never met, but who gave me her name that I have carried my entire life and has undoubtedly left an indelible and profound impact on my life. I carry her torch.

I thank the man who loved me for over 27 years and blessed me with the two most precious heartbeats in my life, my son and daughter. 

I thank my mother-in-law who was my pillar, beloved friend,  confidant, counselor, and someone I knew I could always rely on.

I thank my brother-in-law who brought joy, humor, and laughter into the everyday moments of life.

I thank my uncle who gave unselfishly and was always there for us when crisis hit.

I thank my grandparents for the God-fearing, hard-working, ethical, and moral heritage they built. It has been a solid and proven foundation handed down to me.

Yes indeed,  I thank every loved one who has gone before me and left a road paved with gifts of living life wrapped in love, hope, faith, joy, integrity, honor, and family bonds. 

I am truly blessed this Christmas.