Sleepless Nights and How to Save Christmas

by Cindy R. Williams

My posting this time is in two parts.

This first section is about Sleepless Nights.

I often wake in the night and have to start all over with my "go to sleep" routine which often includes writing and/or reading a little before nodding off. It is 2:40 in the morning and this time I chose to read some ANWA Founder and Friend blogs. I'm a fan of Kari Pike's messages. Somehow she always leaves me with a feeling of love. Thank you Kari. I also read a comment posted by Terry Montague regarding my last posting on December 21. What Terry said was brilliant! If you have about a minute and half, scroll down to the post titled "Showing Emotions In Your Writing" and read her comments. She explains and gives examples of how to get emotions down tight in your story. THANK YOU TERRY!

Now on to part two:  How to Save Christmas.
Back to Kari Pikes most recent blog about Christmas. I read about how Christmas day changed for her and what she did about it. I realized that Kari made the mental and emotional shift and recognized the real Spirit of Christmas. Good example once again Kari.

A similar thing happened to me a year ago, since my children were doing that pesky thing of growing up and leaving their loving parents, the house becoming less of a little kid zone. My two daughters are now married and busy creating their own family traditions. I also realized how tired I was of running around on Christmas day to my extended family's homes to take gifts. Yes, Christmas was changing.

If I didn't like these changes--and I don't--I decided to brainstorm. I came up with this solution. Start a new family tradition. Christmas Dinner at my home. Okay, I know many of you already do this, but this has never been done in our family before. I figured if the adage that "the way to a man is through his stomach" is valid, then why not the way to a family is the same. Also, "If you build it, they will come," is akin to "If you cook it, they will come." I have to admit that the opportunity to visit with Mission Boy via Skype would be a big draw.

I invited all my children (except Mission Boy) to come hungry to my home in the early afternoon. I invited my mother and sister and her family. I planned and cooked some yummies the day before Christmas, then put a ham in the oven around 10:00 AM Christmas Day.

Success! Christmas was family once again. With all the couches and chairs full. Toys for grand babies scattered on the floor. Giggles, wrestling, heart to heart talks, and a whole lot of love. The blessing on the food was a heart felt thank you to our Savior for his birth, life of example, and finally his gift of resurrection.

Now if I can just figure out a solution to getting my Christmas cards out on time!

Happy New Year to all!