To be unhappy during the holidays is to miss out on a heavenly experience. The holidays have always been my favorite time of year. Memories flood my mind as I think back on Christmases and Thanksgivings…not one is sad, but sometimes the memories themselves trigger sadness. Sadness that I am no longer a child. Sadness that my Great Grandmother will not host another splendid Thanksgiving dinner again. Sadness that I can’t stop time.

Before Christmas, I can barely hold in my childlike anticipation. After Christmas, life seems a little boring and dry. But there is always the promise of next holiday season, which glimmers like a rosy sugar plum in the future.

I hope that I am always happy during the holidays. And I will always remember and pray for those who cannot be.

Holidays are almost nonexistent. If I don't look, they're gone. Christmas starts before Halloween now. But that is frenzed shopping!

There is no "kids" in my life. My kids kids are grown and don't know I exist. The few that come to our house open their boxes, grab a snack and split up to go to respective in-laws for turkey.

But it isn't all so glum. Memories press for a spot in my life. Great tables sagging with Mom's and her sisters knowlegible cooking abilities. The Smell that crept around corners, NO, waft through walls. The over heated frenzie of cousins play. and the immersion into the vat of icy snow as we are kicked out of the house.

Yes! holidays are at tims both maudlin and raucous and renews my spirit til the next celebration.