Growing up in Alaska, we didn't have our extended family anywhere near and our Christmas traditions developed accordingly. Christmas morning was opening presents in our pajamas and the rest of the day was spent relaxing and playing with the new stuff we got. We didn't have many set traditions so as I have grown into adulthood I have struggled to understand why people are so set on their traditions. Not only that, as a function of being a child raised in a blended family, my understanding of family tends to be far different from the average person. For me, my brothers are my family, regardless if we shared the same genetics or not. They are my family because we share a common (or not so common as it were) history, a bond forged through pen fights, wrestling, avoiding chores and lots of laughter. So my traditions were directly related to spending time with my family for Christmas- those people who I share a common life, history, story, or bond with.
Every December I look forward to my time spent with my family- those people whom I share my life with- and yes
without a doubt that includes those lucky few with whom I share a genetic similarity, but it also includes my friends. My friends are as much family to me as my cousins, aunts, mom or dad. So a Christmas without them seems to be empty. So this year I have been blessed to be able to establish some actual traditions with these people.
So my new- grown up traditions are as follows:
Flynn Family Thanksgiving (thanks Sarah) - Christmas attire for the photo, food, wine and amazing friends.
Cookie day (thanks Sully)- a day of laughter, spent with great friends making more cookies than you can imagine and drinking more wine than we should.
The Lights at the Bontanical Garden in Bellevue (thanks Church's) - an amazing evening of lights mixed with some "special" Starbucks!
Christmas in Colorado (now a tradition)- time with family, laughing, opening presents, playing dutch blitz, long talks with my brother, watching You Tube videos with my nephews and lots and lots of snuggles from the cutest kids around!
Christmas Eve Sleepover at the Anderson's (one of my oldest traditions- dating back to 98!)- yummy snacks and presents on Christmas eve, early morning stockings and egg nog waffles.
As I review this list I can say that the best part of each of these traditions is easy to see- time with my loved ones. I know in this season of over booked schedules and over spent bank accounts it is easy to miss the true blessing of this time of year. We must remember that all of the shopping, cooking and/or baking is meant to create one thing- time - time with those you love and who, by the grace of God, love you.
I hope that this season finds you blessed beyond all measure, not by gifts, but by the love of your family - no matter how you define it!
MERRY CHRISTMAS
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