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Monday, December 19, 2011

So This is Christmas

If you could get any present you wanted for Christmas, what would it be?  A friend asked me this question a couple of days ago.  At first, I thought about some pretty amazing material things that I would love to receive.  Then, I thought of those intangibles...you know...peace on earth and those kinds of things.  But quick as a flash, all of those pictures disappeared and I had one image in my mind.  I knew what I would ask for if I could have anything I wanted.

Without a shadow of a doubt, no ifs, ands or buts, it would be one more day to spend with my mother.  You see, she was the one who taught me everything...everything that mattered, that is.  She had more wisdom and faith than anyone I know.  I learned what love is by how much she loved me.  We had our clashes and disagreements just like any other mother and daughter, but she was my rock.

Mom made the holidays an exciting adventure from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day.  The last time I saw my mom was Thanksgiving of 2004.  So you see, the holidays are bittersweet for me.  Don't get me wrong, I don't get melancholy and depressed.  It's just the opposite.  The very atmosphere of the holidays makes me feel like my mom is right here with me and that brings me much joy!

And so this is Christmas.  I decorate, play mom's Christmas albums and celebrate as if she were here, watching me do it all.  I thought I would share some of the Christmas sights in our home that make me feel so warm and wonderful.  I hope you enjoy.
















I pray you have a very Merry Christmas, surrounded by loved ones and making happy memories.  But if circumstances have you spending the holidays alone, I pray that you feel the presence of God around you, and that you realize that the birth of God's son was a precious gift for you and you never have to be alone.
I wish you joy and fulfillment in the coming year!

Blessings From His Lap,

 
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32 comments:

  1. UnknownDecember 23, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    Merry Christmas! My dad passed away when I was only nine months old and my brother passed in 2005. Won't it be wonderful when I am in heaven and can spend every day, including Christmas, with them!

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  2. Michael BatesDecember 23, 2011 at 10:38 AM

    Sweet memories. Merry Christmas to you and yours, Erin!

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  3. AnonymousDecember 23, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    I loved seeing all these images. So precious. I have been to your home at Christmas and it is a haven of the Season. I am so blessed by this.

    Love you my friend this special time of year and always! Dianne

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  4. ErinDecember 23, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    Karen,
    I know just how you feel. That will be a day of celebration.
    I pray that your Christmas this year is everything that you are hoping it to be.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  5. ErinDecember 23, 2011 at 10:59 AM

    Michael,
    I'm so glad you stopped by! Have a wonderful Christmas with your family as well. Tell your wife I said Merry Christmas!
    Hugs,
    ~Erin

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  6. ErinDecember 23, 2011 at 11:00 AM

    Dianne,
    Maybe you can stop by this year before I take all the decorations down. I would love to have you over for some hot apple cider and fellowship!
    I love you!
    ~Erin

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  7. UnknownDecember 23, 2011 at 1:39 PM

    Merry Christmas Erin! May God bless you abundantly as you spend time with family and friends. :-)

    ~All my love,
    Rosann

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  8. UnknownDecember 23, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    Erin this is so beautiful!! I cried when you said you would like one more day with your mom! That's good for me to hear right now because my mom is driving me crazy right now and I often forget how lucky I am that she can still bug me, it is a gift that one day I will sorely miss! Thank you! I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas!!

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  9. James Garcia JrDecember 23, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    Erin, I was going to ask that my beloved Chicago Cubs could break the 102 year drought and could at long last win a world series, but your request was so much sweeter than mine. :)

    What a sweet post. Thanks for sharing.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours.

    -Jimmy

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  10. Michael AnnDecember 23, 2011 at 8:42 PM

    Lovely post, Erin. Merry Christmas to you and your family too!

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  11. ErinDecember 23, 2011 at 11:37 PM

    Rosann,
    I pray blessings for your precious family this Christmas too! I hope it is a sweet time for you.
    Love you,
    ~Erin

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  12. ErinDecember 23, 2011 at 11:38 PM

    Kathy,
    Enjoy every minute with your mom!! I remember getting frustrated with my mom sometimes and now I would give anything to have her here frustrating the heck out of me!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  13. ErinDecember 23, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    Thank you, Jimmy!! It's okay if you hope for the Cubs to win!! Have a wonderful Christmas.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  14. ErinDecember 23, 2011 at 11:41 PM

    Michael Ann,
    Thank you so much for stopping by! Merry Christmas to you too, my sweet friend!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  15. Reformed rebelDecember 23, 2011 at 11:47 PM

    Hi Erin, loved the pictures of your memories.
    Have a merry and blessed Christmas!
    Chelle

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  16. ErinDecember 23, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    Chelle,
    It always feels good to talk about my Mom! Thanks so much for stopping by and Merry Christmas!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  17. Amit (@AmitV_Tweets)December 24, 2011 at 1:21 AM

    Such a great way to share and celebrate christmas with your wonderful memories. Thanks so much for sharing with us. Happy Holidays..Keep Smiling and Keep Rocking! ((Hugs))

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  18. Jennifer WolfeDecember 24, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    What a lovely wish...I'm sure your mother feels it. Merry Christmas!

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  19. ErinDecember 24, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    Amit,
    It's so wonderful to me that you stopped by. Have a blessed holiday with your family and friends.
    Hugs!
    ~Erin

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  20. ErinDecember 24, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    Jennifer,
    Have a most wonderful Christmas with your family. Enjoy every minute! Even the hectic ones.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  21. Susan WinlawDecember 26, 2011 at 9:21 AM

    Merry Christmas Erin. This is the first time I've seen your blog. I found it on a tweet and am going to pass this link on in many places. I absolutely loved the post and it is so true - you are never alone if you feel that loved one's arms hugging you from above. I lost my dear Mom just over 4 years ago and I talk to her every day now. That direct connection with no long distance charges has been great to lift me up any time I get feeling blue. She was a blazing light in my life and I still hold the flame in my heart. Thanks for that post. Blessings to you. S>

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  22. ErinDecember 26, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Susan,
    I'm so honored that you stopped by and so glad that you enjoyed the post. Our moms never leave our hearts!!!
    I hope you had a wonderful Christmas, surrounded by love!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  23. Mommy RoxiDecember 26, 2011 at 10:18 AM

    Merry Christmas from our family to yours! :D

    From Roxi, Oscar and Jacob
    Mr. Jacob's Mom
    www.mommyroxi.com

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  24. Leah's Dip'n DotsDecember 26, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    Thank you for sharing your home with us for Christmas! Hoping you had a fabulous day my friend! Sending big hugs to you.

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  25. ErinDecember 26, 2011 at 10:01 PM

    Roxi,
    Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  26. ErinDecember 26, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    Mitzi,
    I love you, my dear! I hope you had the merriest Christmas!!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  27. UnknownDecember 27, 2011 at 12:24 PM

    What a beautiful message :) I hope that you enjoyed Christmas with your family and friends. I'm sure you felt the presence of your mom on that day and any day that you need to 'talk' to her.
    Blessings and Happy 2012, Barbara

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  28. Kristin BridgmanDecember 27, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    I did enjoy the pictures, thank you! So glad you have your memories of your mother and now passing it on to the next generation:)
    Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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  29. MariaDecember 28, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    Erin, thank you for sharing all your beautiful memories of your Mother. And the photos of your gorgeous home. I love that you celebrate her life through the holidays and cherish the sweet times. You have a gift, my friend.

    I loved looking @ all your decorations and ornaments. I see you like peacock feathers too - I have some in our tree (though they are fake glitter ones lol)

    I hope the magic continues for you and your family this season. Merry Christmas!!!!
    Much love and many prayers!
    Xoxoxo
    Maria

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  30. ErinDecember 28, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    Kristin,
    Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and were surrounded by lots of love!
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

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  31. ErinDecember 28, 2011 at 3:57 PM

    Maria,
    I bet you had an awesome Christmas. I love peacock feathers because a friend of mine used to raise them and he gave me feathers all the time. You are always so encouraging and uplifting. I love it when you stop by and leave a comment for me!
    xo,
    ~Erin

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  32. ErinDecember 28, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    Barbara,
    Thank you so much for your kind words. We had a wonderful Christmas and we could feel my mom's presence in all of our holiday traditions. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your familiy & friends too.
    Blessings,
    ~Erin

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for giving us a little nugget of truth from your heart!

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