Do Not Forget...

Love love love this time of year! I always have. There is so much joy, wonder, and just all-around jolliness...well most of the time, anyway. From the Christmas songs on the radio, to the stores bustling and sparkling with festive decor and don't forget the Hallmark Christmas movies, Christmastime just makes me downright happy! But for some at this time of year, it is almost unbearable. During this time of family and togetherness, some are haunted by lonliness and unimaginable heartbreak. I was reminded of this by reading a fellow CF mom's blog (you may remember me talking about Sarah who lost her 7 year old son Conner to CF earlier this year) that this can be the most painful time of the year. http://notsobrightandshiny.blogspot.com/2010/11/its-most-wonderful-time-of-year.html
I mention this because this post made me stop and really just think about the people I pass as I go along my daily business as I'm gaily humming "The Little Drummer Boy". Who among those people are included in this category? Ever since I read Sarah's sweet words I have thought about how I can reach out to them. I know there is no magical answer but I think praying for them, and offering up simple acts of love and kindness like making someone smile, offering a helping hand, being patient and kind, and just stepping outside of myself to see their hurting heart could be a start. So while we have been decking the halls and singing jolly Christmas tunes, trying to create wonderful memories for Reese, I will not forget those who long for the touch of their loved ones, and I hope you won't forget either. As Sarah states, "All I ask I guess is this Holly Jolly Christmas Season take a moment to touch someones life. Greatly. More than buying a present…TAKE TIME TO REACH OUT AND TOUCH THEIR HURTING SOUL…so many people are walking zombies of pain…and truly there is no feeling like it in the world…"

So, with that being said, as I mentioned, we have been busy decking the halls and enjoying getting in the Christmas spirit. Reese is loving it! She is in awe of the pretty lights and recognizes Santa, or "Sana" as she calls him. These things are all great, but let's also not forget the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Here are a few pictures of us putting up the tree!

Notice in this picture Reese has on a different shirt. Yeah, the Hallmark Christmas moment I was hoping to have with the hot chocolate didn't work out as I had envisioned. Reese took one drink of her "warm" chocolate and spit it out all over her shirt. Oh well...we still had fun!