Merry Christmas!

I love this time of year! I will be honest, I have had a hard time getting into the whole Christmas spirit this year. It is hard to believe that it is tomorrow! I am kinda amazed it is here already. It just seems like yesterday it was Christmas and here we are again. Remember when you were a kid and you were so excited you couldn't sleep because Santa was coming? I couldn't hardly keep still while laying in bed some Christmas eve nights because I was so excited. Somewhere along the lines we lose that since of wonder and excitement I think. Oh to be a kid again.

The last minute Christmas shoppers were out today and boy some of them were rude, especially ones that came in two minutes before closing and took their time picking out cards. Needless to say we didn't get off early or even on time. Due to that we didn't get to church for the Christmas eve service, I was a little sad. I haven't been in a few years since we usually do Christmas with the Garzoni family on Christmas eve night. Maybe next year we will get to go.

I am blessed beyond words and too often I take that for granted. My family is wonderful and I love them more than words can explain. I have an amazing boyfriend who is home this year! Tomorrow will be our second first Christmas. My heart goes out to the troops overseas and their families. My friend Mel had to send her boyfriend off just within the last two weeks for Afghanistan. I know all to well how she is feeling and my heart hurts for her. To those who have never felt it, trust me when I say it is something you will never understand or even begin to understand until you have experienced it. The next year will be a hard one for her (and him), but she is fortunate, just like I was, to have a wonderful family and great friends to help her through the year ahead.

My dear friends I want to wish you a Merry Christmas. I hope you have a wonderful time with your friends and family. Now I am going to end my Christmas eve as I always do, by reading the Christmas story. Not the traditional one, the Biblical real reason for the season Christmas story. It reminds me just what this day is about, I think too often we get too caught up in the commercial side of Christmas that we lose the true meaning.

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for behold I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior who is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you shall find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." (Luke 2:10-14)

Goodnight and Merry Christmas.