The best gift I got was when my sister, Lori, was born. She was the first of my nine siblings. I love being part of a large and loving family. The second wonderful gift I got was when I married my husband and became part of his, then much smaller, family. Holidays are a time when I especially think about both of those amazing gifts of love.
When I married we began the tradition of one year with my family at Christmas and the next with my in-laws. As my siblings married, they fell into the same rotation so we could, hopefully, all be together at least every other year at Christmas. It worked well until my parents divorced. Initially, my mother moved to California, but once she came back to the Midwest, every other year split between Mother’s or Daddy’s. A little more complicated bookkeeping, but manageable. As grandchildren arrived, schedules became more unwieldy and some years we weren’t all together.
Since I’ve lost both my parents, my family focuses on summertime reunions to try to get together or the occasional Schnepper girl weekend somewhere warm in winter–but that is just siblings and spouses. The last time all my siblings were together was for a funeral years ago. In Canada. It makes me sad but time marches on and weaving together everyone’s schedules and managing within their means can be very hard.
My husband’s family started small and grew prolifically. He was the baby with only one brother and one sister–both much older. His sister has two married children and one grandchild. His brother had one son and two girls who are all married and have taken then Biblical directive to go forth and multiply quite seriously. Most of them live in or near the small town my husband grew up in. That fact makes orchestrating a gathering slightly easier but everyone still has to make the effort to come together.
Last week we celebrated an early Christmas at a Mexican restaurant with my husband’s family. We couldn’t find a free day for 100% of the target attendees but we did for most of them. People who had to work or conduct youth group managed to get together and visit with us before the main event. We so appreciated their efforts to see us while we were in town. We missed those who lived farther away but many of them had been home at Thanksgiving this year. There were thirty-eight of us for dinner. Lots of hugs. Lots of smiles. And Christmas joy at being together as a family. We were in a separate room off the main dining room so we could move around to talk. It was wonderful. Our Christmas celebration on the day will be just the two of us this year starting a new tradition.
I know that everyone can’t get to see their families at this blessed time of year. Distance, work, sickness, financial worries–all put up impediments to getting together. I hope you’ll consider making a family experience with the friends who are near or volunteer to help someone who is alone and share the love you have. Embrace the joy of the season and let it shine from your heart!
As Tiny Tim would say, “God bless us every one!” Merry Christmas to you! May the New Year bring you peace and happiness.
