Christmas Tradition

Every year for Christmas,

we go to my parents house and open our presents on Christmas Eve.

Before my Mamaw passed away in 2001,

everyone used to go there.

It was the best. 

My Mamaw always cooked a nice turkey dinner with all the fixings,

and after dinner we would open our presents.

One year, back in 1997 I introduced a new Christmas tradition to my whole family.

I've always loved to write, and even more than that,

I love re-reading what I wrote years ago to see how much I've evolved.

I thought it would be a great idea to create a Christmas journal

for the whole family to write down their thoughts each year.

At first, I got a lot of bah hum bugs and naysayers

but I did get everyone to write something down that first year.

Now, it's tradition and everyone always asks if I brought the book.

One year, my brother-in-law, Rod, purposely forgot to sign the book

so the very next Christmas I wrapped it up like a present and when he opened it up,

everyone was rolling on the floor with laughter.

It has become quite a staple in my family.

If anyone else joins us for the holidays,

they aren't allowed to leave the house until they at least sign their name.

Yes, this is the original book and it still has pages to be filled.

The most precious page in this book was written by my Mamaw the year before she died.

Here is the page.  She had such a good Christmas that year. 

My eyes fill with tears every time I read it because I know what she went through the year before.

She was never much for writing, but that year she wrote  quite a paragraph.

I read it every year and I cherish her handwriting with all my heart.

Her words, her self expression, this is the best gift I have ever received.