10 years ago, my daddy left for Iraq and arrived in that
hell-hole on the 15th of December. Christmas night, he watched our
planes light up the sky with artillery and felt the earth shake from being
mortared. That was a hard Christmas. He was gone for almost 8 months.
3 years ago, we were celebrating Christmas thinking that it
might be my last. That was a hard one, too.
3 years ago, our family huddled together and tried to comfort
each other after unspeakable violence had been acted upon one of our members.
That was a really hard one.
Yesterday, someone whom I greatly admire and look up to had
a family member pass away. They will always remember that every Christmas from
now.
Today is the birthday of my first love and I always brush
away a tear and wish him the best. I know that we were not meant to be
together, but I can’t help but wish every year that we were spending Christmas
together.
For many, Christmas is a time of joy and thanksgiving. Of
celebrating family, the milestones they have accomplished together and as
individuals. But for many, Christmas is just another day to try and slog
through. Or, even worse, a holiday that is an awful reminder of bad things that
have happened in the past. For some, Christmas day will be spent alone in
distant countries while wishing they were with family here at home. Remember
those who might be hurting a little more than usual at this time of year and say
a prayer for them. We are all so blessed to be here for another Christmas.
Thank you for spending another year with Buckaroo Barbie! We think that 2014 will be even bigger and better, and we look forward to sharing our adventures with you! We
love you Dolls so much!
xo xo Elizabeth
I have been on both sides of that bad and good Christmas memories. Thankful that I am now on the good side. Hope all your future Christmas memories are good and those sad ones fade into the distance.
ReplyDeleteOh thank you Lynda!! I am thankful as well to be on the good side, I feel for those who struggle during the holidays! Merry Christmas and Happy New Years! :)
DeleteMERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO MY TWO FAVORITE GIRLS!!!! :0
ReplyDeleteOh I just loved this. It's so very true! I didn't bring my journal home with me for break so the other night, Christmas night, I sat down and wrote something very similar to this. My first love lost one of his family member's the other day as well. My heart went out to all of them, that's never easy but even harder this time of year. I feel so terrible for those who don't have the luxury of celebrating this great day, and it always makes me wish I could do more for those folks. Happy New Year Liz, and like so many others I'm so glad you are here to celebrate with us!
ReplyDeleteliz, thank you for this post, i really liked this one.
ReplyDeletethere is one line here that i can relate to: the passing
of a loved one, i know how that can be, then a year ago i
lost a really close friend. i am glad i met you that night at
cowboy poetry a couple of years ago, because i would not
be reading these great blogs you write. and my thanks and salute(corny i know
but that is how i am) to your father for his service in the military,
i am hoping to go into the military myself someday.