Christmas is such a joyful time of year—a time to give thanks for our blessings. But some people seem to forget this message and turn it into something materialistic. What happened to the true Spirit of Christmas? I thought I’d write another Christmas post because right now, I’m really feeling the spirit.
Yes, it can be stressful with all the shopping, cooking, and baking, but this year, I’m focusing on the bright side. I’m getting older, and recently, I lost two of my best friends, both my age, within a year of each other. That’s made me reflect. I’m still here, my family is healthy, and I’m grateful for all that I have—especially my grandchildren. They absolutely love the holidays and count down the days. Here are my boys decorating Christmas cookies.
On Christmas Eve, I cook the Feast of the Seven Fishes—a traditional Italian meal that most Italians prepare for the holiday. I’ve been doing this for years, and now my nieces, nephews, and even my great-nieces and nephews join in. My sister Ann always comes too. Years ago, my sister Rose and her children would also spend the holidays with us, but it’s become impossible to fit everyone together now. If we were to get the whole family in one place, we’d need to rent a hall! And with us all living in different states, it’s just too hard. Between the three sisters, our children, and grandchildren, there would be about 75 of us!
It’s a lot of work, but it’s so rewarding to see everyone enjoying themselves. This Christmas is extra special because it will be my granddaughter Isabella’s first one. She’s such a sweet, lovable little angel.
This holiday season, take a moment to be thankful for everything you have. Merry Christmas to all of you! I’m wishing everyone a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2017. At the end of the day, it’s all about the family.
