Our Christmas {Perhaps Christmas Means a Little Bit More...}

When I look back to my childhood I find the memories that have stayed with me all these years are those of tradition, values and love. Each Christmas Eve was spent with my mother's family at my Nonna's house. To this day the smell of fried fish and freshly made zeppole take me back... I can recall the sound of Elmo & Patsy & Christmas Time with The Judds playing on the radio... Christmas Day was always spent at my Papa Joe's or at my Aunt Diane & Uncle Mike's house as it still is to this day....

Our family has seen tremendously painful loss in the recent years, yet we always find our way back to the magic of Christmas and the comfort and joy it brings us each year.... We sit at the same table and watch our children unwrap gifts in the same living room under the same tree...

New traditions are made as my husband and I try to give our children the same memories we shared growing up. And as children, I'm sure each of us received some pretty amazing gifts from Santa over the years, it seems I can't recall them all, only a couple favorites... but what has stayed with me all these years are memories. Wonderful profound memories of family and friends coming together... Of me going to midnight mass as a child with my Nonna.... As cliche as it may sound, my fondest Christmas memories weren't found in boxes wrapped in ribbons and bows that stay in my heart, its the memories of the joy I found being with my family. After all, if we didn't have each other, what would we have to celebrate on Christmas Day?

I pray in my heart that my children grow to learn the true meaning of Christmas and keep it inside them for years to come....

Here is my gift to you... Our 2014 Christmas memories....



 

 

 

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store. "Maybe Christmas,...perhaps.... means a little bit more!"

 ~The Grinch

 

Wishing you the fondest of memories this holiday season!