Do you ever listen to the voice of Christmas Past?
CHRISTMAS PAST
It's been said that Christmas is for children. And each of us was once a child. So if you're celebrating the holidays with older family members this year, you may hear a story similar to this.
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This reminded me of the year my uncle, who was a father figure to me, died. He died late in the year and our grief was still fresh around Christmas time, so much that the rest of my family had made a decision to forgo Christmas altogether. I was about 13 at the time, and I just couldn't envision Christmas coming and going without us taking part in our Christmas traditions. My father (I called him Dad all the time) loved Christmas time, and we would participate in a lot of activities like Caroling, Christmas plays and decorating the church.
At home, we decorated the house together and put up the Christmas tree. I decided that in honor of my 'Dad' I would take it upon myself to do whatever I thought he would want me to do. I put up the tree myself, placed decorations around the house, even took a stab at making some Christmas meals. My family saw my efforts, and in a way I think they appreciated the fact that I was unwilling to let his death affect the way we lived our lives. I don't know; in a way I felt like I had saved Christmas for my family. Every year around this time of year I remember that year and it makes me feel better about myself.
CHRISTMAS I REMEMBER BEST: 'DEAR BUG': A MOTHER'S TESTIMONY ENDURES
The outside Christmas lights danced on my bedroom curtains as I tossed and turned. It was Christmas Eve and being 13, an official teenager, I was ready for the 10-speed bike. All my friends either had one or would have one by morning.
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