Wednesday, December 4, 2013

First Christmas

A few months ago, the children decided that we should skip November altogether. Really there was no reason to acknowledge it, as nothing good came of it last year. So they started referring to November as our “first December.” I have to say, I was rather okay with the idea. I might have pointed out that it could cause some confusion at school, so it was decided that November could exist at school, just not at home.

As first December rapidly approached, my youngest had an idea, and began to make plans. She announced to us all, that since we would be having two Decembers, we would need to celebrate Christmas two times. However, for the first Christmas, everything you wanted to give to someone in the family had to be handmade. There were several times when she told us we were not allowed in the basement, as she was working on gifts for us. I honestly did not know what she was making, and I really didn’t think that the idea would last all the way to the end of November. (Seeing as I have children who never let go of an idea, I’m not really sure why I ever doubted she would see the plan through). When it was realized that the 25th of our first December fell on a Monday, it was decided that in order for us to truly enjoy our first Christmas, we would celebrate the day after Thanksgiving. That way, they would not have to go to school on Christmas day.

On a side note, emotionally speaking, the week of Thanksgiving sucked. Last year during the holidays we were all still in a state of shock. Which allowed us to make it through the holidays in a rather numb condition. We made all the appropriate motions to make it through the holidays, but I can’t say that any of us clearly remember them. So it was more like this year was going to be our first Thanksgiving without Chris. We were all missing him in our own way, and everyone was out of sorts.

Fast forward to the morning before Thanksgiving . . . my youngest came upstairs and placed three boxes on the coffee table. I should add here, my middle one is the one who actually made the boxes. She took paper, and origami style folded the boxes for her sister to use to wrap gifts. Then the youngest added glitter and drawings to the boxes. My first thought, those are really cool looking, and I was amazed by the amount of time that had gone into making the boxes. My second thought, where in the world had the glitter come from? And as realization hit, oh, (bleep) she used the glitter in the basement. It’s never going to come out of the carpeting! Luckily, I only commented on the first thought.

With the bringing up of the boxes, it dawned on me quite clearly, that she had gone to a lot of trouble in wanting to make this first Christmas special, and I had made absolutely NOTHING. I should point out now that I am not a crafty person. These traits were handed down to my children from my Mom and Grandma, but skipped me. My crafts come from a point of waiting until the last possible moment, and hoping inspiration strikes. Luckily for me, I came across a felt craft kit for making Christmas ornaments, that I had purchased last Christmas for the children. Apparently I had never given it to them, as it was still sealed and on a shelf in a closet. I opened it hungrily for ideas. Thankfully I did see some ornaments that I assumed I could make, and then realized there was not enough felt to actually make them. A trip to the craft store was added to my list of errands to run before Thanksgiving, where I was able to pick up enough felt and ribbon for ten projects. I was leaving room for error.

This all being stated, I have to admit, that I did not actually begin making the Christmas tree ornaments until late Thanksgiving night. Thankfully I left room for error, as there were several false starts! After multiple hours of cutting felt, sewing, and I admit, some cursing (I loathe sewing), I finished three passable ornaments. They aren’t Pintrest worthy, but I liked the finished product. So I wrapped them in tissue paper, and placed them next to the boxes that were on the coffee table.

As it turns out, our first Christmas was celebrated in the afternoon. The youngest knew her brother and sister had not made anything. So she told them that a note to the family or to each other was okay too. It didn’t have to be an actual gift, and if we waited until the afternoon to celebrate, that would give them enough time to finish.  When it came time to celebrate, my youngest was the one to lead the event. We all sat down together on the couch and love seat. My youngest sat next to me with a shoebox on her lap. On the box, in bold letters she had written “DO NOT OPEN.” She decided that we should begin with handing out the boxes that had gifts in them. So we all opened up the boxes to find new bracelets made on a rainbow loom, and braided bookmarks she had made out of yarn. Being Mom, I actually received three bracelets, one with a charm. All of us immediately put on our new accessories. Then she said that the gifts that I had made could be opened.  Luckily, the children seemed pleased that they would have new ornaments to hang on the tree this year. She then told her brother and sister they could hand out the cards that they had made. Each had a picture they had drawn, and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas.

It was at the end that my youngest opened up the shoebox that she had told everyone else not to open. In it lay a stack of cards that she had written. It is quite apparent to me, that 7 year olds are much more observant and wiser than many give them credit for . . .

A card for her brother, who LOVES to read:


Baby girl, you, your brother, and your sister are definitely far more precious than anything in the world. 


And a card for me:

Baby girl, you are right, it is hard, but we aren't going to let grief win.