Thanks to family members who fulfilled the children's Christmas wish list of clothing and needs, and thanks to friends who filled in the blanks, the kids had a beautiful Christmas. The beauty wasn't in the Avengers' teeshirts, skinny jeans, basketballs, or Star Wars pajamas, the beauty was, and is still, found in the love of the people who thought about these kids, and went above and beyond friendship or family duty.
The beauty of Christmas was found in the eight-year-old boy who couldn't contain his excitement and woke at 1:00 am, 3:00 am, 5:00 am and finally was allowed to be up at 7:00 am. We have a rule that the children must wait until the Christmas tree lights turn on via timer before we open gifts. The poor boy woke his sisters up at 3:00, was invited to snuggle, and then he asked every 10 minutes or so, "what time is it?" until they were all well awake and giggling long before the Christmas tree shed its pink, marshmallow glow in the livingroom.
The beauty was in the simplicity, and in setting aside expectations. Its a hard lesson, and one that we as adults have struggled with. While we would have loved to have spent the holiday with family and friends, enjoying the laughter, meals and games, as we have in times past, a simple Christmas has its beauty. We miss the chances to celebrate life and family together, yet we know that this year we don't have that option. We have to get through the here and now. It reminds me vaguely of the Seder dinner when we toast, "next year in Jerusalem." Maybe our toast should be, "next year with family."
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