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Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Are You Ready? It's Almost here!

All ready for the big day? Every year we run around like crazy trying to do too much in a short amount of time! We all KNOW what the real meaning of the holiday is but we also want to make Christmas delightful for those we love. Every year I have the same nightmare. I dream that it is Christmas Eve at 6 PM and I have yet to buy a gift, do any food shopping, send a card or decorate the house! I wake up in a cold sweat! Now why do we do such things to ourselves? *smile* I decided to make it a bit more simple for myself this year yet still find myself rushing through the day to get this or that done. *sigh* But, just like the Whos down in Whoville show us each year, Christmas comes whether we are ready or not! And Christmas does not need fancy ribbons and bows, a spotless house or the perfectly glazed ham...no, it just needs loving and caring hearts and open arms. In fact, sometimes it's what we do NOT get done or what went "wrong" that make the sweetest memories! This morning I found myself thinking about our son's first Christmas. Daniel had arrived from Korea in April of 1990. He was 8 years old and did not speak a word of English. He must have been frightened but that precious smile never faltered. He was such a joy and a true delight from the moment he stepped foot from the airplane. That joy would sustain us when Bill was sent to the Persian Gulf on 2 short days notice. He would be gone for a very long time and would miss Danny's first day of school, first Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. My heart was broken for both of them but it was our son who made it a happy holiday for me. Dan just loved all the excitement surrounding the holidays. He took great pleasure in everything from baking cookies to late evening Church services on Christmas Eve. It was impossible not to be caught up in his happiness! For Daniel's first Santa visit I chose the mall that had the most *real* looking St. Nick. While standing in line to see the jolly old elf, one of the old boy's helpers noticed the way Danny was speaking. She motioned me over...Dan was so fixated in watching the others with Santa he had no idea I had moved away...and asked about him. I explained he had been in this country for a short time and was still learning English. She asked if he was from Korea. It seems that "Santa" was married to a Korean lady & spoke the language fluently! She asked for Dan's American AND Korean name and when it was time for us to be called, Santa looked over and beckoned by using his Korean name. Oh but the look of pure joy that spread across my son's face! Santa and Dan had a long talk, in both English and Korean and my boy absolutely beamed! When he ran back to me, he gushed, "Oh Mommy! He is really, really real Santa! I knowed! I knowed! I do!" And Mom knew it would be a moment she would treasure forever. There were so many moments that year that would cause us to feel sad but ultimately, it was Dan's presence that made it a sweet holiday to remember always. I hope that your Christmas will be filled with those little moments that warm your heart and tickle your silly spirit. If the cake falls and the cookies burn...if the cards are late or the tree is lopsided...just remember that Christmas will still arrive. It will come to us silently and reverently. It will come to remind us that God so loved us that he offered his greatest gift, His son, Jesus Christ. Each one of you is a gift to me, a gift that I cherish and hold dear. Even when I can't make blog rounds the way I would wish to, I am thinking about you. I send you warm hugs and much love. God Bless each one of you.
Love always,
Susie Q

26 comments:

Salmagundi said...

What a wonderful memory for you! May this Christmas be just as blessed as that one for your family! Sally

SaraG said...

What a great post!!
Wishing you and your family a Very Merry Christmas and a Safe & Happy New Year!!

Connie said...

With tears streaming down my ol' cheeks, I understand exactly what you mean, sweet mom chick. We have a niece from Thailand and a nephew from Korea also. It's a wonderful thing to see them grow up in this country free and with parents who cared enough to offer them a home. I absolutely love little kids!

I think you'll enjoy reading my blog post tomorrow. It shares the same memories and has a bit of a different take on this season. My heart is full to overflowing with the season that celebrates the holy birth of the Savior. Please stop by to visit tomorrow. I doubt you'll be disappointed, sweetpea.

Smooches and Merry CHRISTmas 2008,
Connie

SaraG said...

Hi Sue,
I am in Waynesville every day working. We can do lunch one day if you would like. Just tell me when and where!!
Take care.

Terri Steffes said...

Merry Christmas! I am so glad you got my card!

I know exactly what you mean.

CIELO said...

Dear Susie: Merry Christmas and warm wishes from our house to yours.

cielo

PAT said...

Wonderful post, Sue!

Merry Christmas!

Harbor Hon said...

I get so emotional when I read happy ending stories like this one. Yes, there are tears, but my heart is swelled with pride that Santa knew how to reach out to Danny, who was just a little guy in a big new world. So touching and sweet.

Merry Christmas to you and yours sweet Bunny Lady and a happy and properous New Year! Love you too! xxoo

Kathleen Grace said...

Susie, that is such a sweet and beautiful story. I wish you the happiest and most peaceful of Christmas's this year my friend!

Sue said...

Merry Christmas Sue to you and your lovely family from our house to yours.
Hugs,
Sue

BONNIE K said...

I very much enjoyed this story. It's like a Chicken Soup for the Soul story!

Anonymous said...

I loved your story. I think children bring out the Christmas spirit in all of us. When we see them so happy it makes us happy. Blessings to you and your familly this christmas and New Year.

Andi said...

Oh Sue...what a lovely post. The story of Dan's first visit to see Santa brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful memory to keep.

Have a beautiful Christmas dear friend.

Love, Andi

SmilingSally said...

Thank you for mentioning the Greatest Gift.

Shauna said...

Hope you have a blessed and very Merry Christmas! L♥ve and Hugs :) Shauna

Rosemary said...

Warm hugs right back to you!!
Have a very Merry Christmas!
Rosemary

Cottage Rose said...

Hello Susie Q. What a lovely post.

I am wishing you a and your family and safe and warm happy Christmas and a Blessed New Year.

Hugs;
Alaura

Anonymous said...

Evening, Susieness! Loved your post today! I wish you a very Merry Christmas.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Jim Rittenhouse said...

Oh, that's a great post. Thank you for sharing it.

Meggie said...

What an absolutely precious story about Dan's first Christmas with you! Merry Christmas to you, Bill. Grace and Dan....critter, too!

Latharia said...

That is probably one of the best Christmas memories I've ever heard told.

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Susie, I read this to my husband and got all choked up doing so. We both said what are the odds of that happening? Well, it was a God moment and a gift from him to Danny - and you. Funny how He works little miracles in our lives.

Merry Christmas sweet friend! Thank you for your gift of friendship to me this past year.

((Hugs)) to you and your adorable family.
with love,
Becky

kaetrn said...

i love what you wrote about christmas and the whos...they really did have th right idea, didn't they? merry christmas!

Neabear said...

There you go, making me cry again. That was a beautiful story. What a precious memory for you and for Dan too. Thank you for sharing those special moments. I hope you and your family had a wonderful Merry Christmas.

Indigo Robe said...

I am just overflowing with goosebumps from that beautiful story! Thank you for sharing that precious moment. I can see it in my mind... how very, very special!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! Hugs and blessings to you, special one!
Margie

Sheila said...

Sue, what a sweet story about Santa and Dan! That truly is a Christmas miracle, and a great memory that you will always have! Hope your Christmas was absolutely wonderful!