Christmas Smiles...

I remember as a child visiting my great grandpa and grandma's house on Chritmas Eve. We would all be together and laughter would ring out from every corner of their little home. My grandmother had treats prepared for all of us - cookies, cakes, and candies. The tree was cut from the field and the lights were constant colored lights and the ornaments were foil or handmade. The tree was then covered with tinsel. The gifts were stacked deeply for everyone brought their family gifts there for exchanging, and the sight was mere magic to the eyes of a child. The anticipation of what they held inside was more than we could imagine.

Go forward some 45 years and 2010 Christmas finds my house full of family with gifts stacked up under a tree. The ornaments are all gifts from years of friendships, children, and trips taken and collected then each one placed on the tree with love and memory. They decorate the small tree from top to bottom with anticipation of the families celebration of Jesus' birth. The family, children, and grandchildren all gather in on Christmas eve. We share homemade treats and goodies that everyone brought in for the celebration. The gifts still fill the hearts of the children with wonder. The food is still good. The laughter still rings out. The traditions of the past live on again. The memories we make today will one day, in 45 years or so, pass down to another generation. How wonderful to be a grandmother.