Family time, especially with the food and fellowship, brings memories of other family times together.  Some of the memories are hilariously funny.  Some are sad - especially involving family not with us for some reason.  But some memories bring at least smiles, usually some laughter, and everyone seems to agree it is the "best" one.  In some cases the idea is still happening.......

Our favorite memory.........  Dad and I had watched a special, on Quilts of Valor, on PBS.  Dad bought the DVD and patterns.  We chose the day after Christmas because we could all be together - no one had to be "back at work" including the sister who doesn't sew.  We all were doing something. Dad, and oldest grandson, played chess and watched TV movies.  Sister who doesn't sew kept snacks, lunch and food available between times reading.  Then 4 of us were quilting - 3 generations of quilters - me, older sister, her daughter and granddaughter.  It was a wonderful day spent together with great memories.

In fact..... we still take the day after Christmas to do quilting.  The 4 of us still work on quilts, those who don't quilt find other activities and someone is keeping food, coffee and munchies available.  Sometimes we "only" get one quilt top done, sometimes two... one year we actually got three done! So....what is your best memory?  Something to think about......

So...... what tells you it is Christmas?  When the Christmas music starts playing?  When the Christmas lights come on through out the neighborhood?  When the hymns, at church, start being Christmas hymns?  When YOUR tree is up?  We grew up in the liturgical tradition so we observed the season of Advent - with the Advent candles and calendar.  We put the tree up on Christmas Eve day.

Then...... the part that means Christmas to me........  the Christmas Eve worship service.  It usually  started at 10:30 with "Christmas Carols" and then the actual service.  There were hymns, prayers, a sermon (only one of which I remember ANY of) and then Communion.  We would finish the service, usually the last hymn was "Silent NIght," as we lit candles.  Then out into the COLD night.  Yes, it was usually after midnight so, even technically, it was Christmas Day.

When I am asked about Christmas celebrations this is what I think of, remember and wish we could do again.  This year I have lost count of the number of Christmas "Eve" services anywhere from 3 to 5 in the afternoon.  Thankfully I have been invited to a service at 8pm tonight.  Close.......  Memories to celebrate so we don't start screaming..........

So...... are you "ready" for Christmas?  All the gifts ready to go?  Figured out the how, and when, for the family get togethers?  Still trying to figure out who is going to bring what to eat?  Maybe.... the idea is at least in the back of your mind to ignore everybody and have a QUIET day?  So........if all of these things are not accomplished - yet at least - what are your plans?

For the first time in about 40 years I am actually "ready."  40 years ago it was because I had to have surgery, after breaking my ankle, so I had to STAY in my recliner.  At the time I made all of my gifts so staying "down" and quiet meant I finished well before Thanksgiving let alone Christmas.  This year I admit I have been "getting ready" since early August, and I don't have churches and worship services to be preparing, so I am (and have been) ready.  I can tell you, however, between churches, Advent, taking care of Dad and Christmas Eve services it was usually EARLY morning Christmas Day before the last things were ready.  AND...thankfully(!) someone else was always doing the cooking!

So........  Please take a few minutes to remember.  Take a few minutes to stop and breathe.  Then you can either start laughing.......OR come up with a reason NOT to start screaming! 

Holidays bring a lot of memories - some not so good but a lot of them are wonderful ones we can at least smile at.  Some of them we might even laugh a little.....  Some of them include the traveling to get to the various holiday family times (ordeals?).  Traveling now, for me, means I need to make sure I have needlework with me - even family wants me to sit still sometimes (especially in the car)!

One of the trips Dad and I took, which wasn't actually for  holiday but was to family, was after Dad needed a walker to get around.  At the same time I had torn the ligaments in my ankle and needed a cane.  To say we were an interesting pair to watch is an understatement!  Then came the time, at the airport, when his walker was in luggage and he needed the restroom.  So he is using my cane, and my arm, as we hobble to the men's room where he took my cane.  He hobbled in and I worked on balance until he got back.

We learned, after that trip, to keep his walker with us (like parents keep the stroller).  The memory still causes at least a smile though.  Like I've said..... you have to laugh or you will start crying - or screaming!

Holiday travel happens a lot, often and for most of us.  We can think of the travel we do to be with family, and friends, for various holiday functions.  OR we can think of the different ways we travel - by car or by plane.  OR maybe the ways we decorated the tree.....

My tree, for the last several years, has been one that spiraled..... It was very easy to spiral back down to 2" wide and store behind the bedroom door.  It was also very easy to line up the camels, donkeys, sleighs, and anything else needed for "travel," as ​decorations.  

Our Dad insisted we had to have a train going around the bottom of the tree - which was VERY hard to do with this tree.  The one year I "had" to it was lined up around the bottom, more in the way than decoration.  Once again you have to laugh or you will start screaming!