Christmas: a time for food, family, gifts, reflection, and celebration.

Well this year Christmas was quite different. Celebrating Christmas after you lose a loved one is never quite the same. I have been told it gets easier after the first year though.

I like to think that is true. I also like to think the people you surround yourself with make it easier as well.

This Christmas I looked back and reflected on my childhood and all the gifts I rememeber waking up to. I recall special ones from Santa, talking Barney, easy bake oven, and then there were special ones that my parents would spend all night setting up, my doll house with the perfectly positioned stickers (thanks to my Dad), Barbie pizza parlour, and my first bike.

Now as an adult and having been through losing a parent I look at my son and what Christmas means to him. The gifts, the food, the family time, he doesn't realize that one day it will all change. The joy and excitment is all that matters to him. 

That is now my true meaning of Christmas.

Merry Christmas everyone and have a great new year!