Years ago I began this annual Christmas letter with just a
piece of paper and a pen, a 23-year old college graduate now but a 12-year-old
little girl back then.
And much has changed and happened, for I have outgrown that
little girl, I’ve seen and done and loved and learned, I’ve stepped more into
the world.
My first letter was in the early 2000’s, a time before
reality TV shows and crazy fast internet connection, a time before GPS and the
much loved Iphone invention.
When I wrote my first Christmas letter, I was struggling in
math with long division, now as I write this, I am juggling how to fulfill my
dreams I envision.
And we are all at different parts in our lives now, not just
from each other, but from ourselves, because we all grow up eventually, we
never stay twelve.
But wherever you are in your life, I ask you now to embrace
that place and be thankful for wherever that may be, whether it is becoming a
first time parent, retiring or finally earning that college degree.
Embrace your place and love your life, and be thankful for
each day when you lay down each night.
And recognize that just as much as we have changed, certain
parts of us will remain unchanged, because a decade may change technology but a
heart can never change.
I hope throughout the years my Christmas letters have found
way into your heart and maybe even one has even left you smitten, because not
one that you have received was not thought of you all when it was written.
This letter I decided against my usual theme, I decided
against my annual Christmas advice, I don’t need to tell anyone how to spend
their Christmas, it’s their way and that makes it right.
Christmas is not about trying to be something or trying not
to be, it has never been about Santa or gifts under the tree.
Christmas is about this letter, about us, about the people
we love and hold dear, so I will not tell you how to spend your Christmas this
year.
Instead I just extend my love to you all, and I scream it
and I shout, Because after all, that is all Christmas is about.
Telling people you love them, showing them how much you
care, spending time with your loved ones and being happy you are there.
We never needed snow or giant Christmas trees, and I know
you all know that that has never mattered, the only things we have ever needed
are each other, love and laughter.
When I was 12 years old my mom suggested I write a Christmas
letter and over a decade has passed and it has not failed, right before the
holidays you get my letter in the mail.
For years I have written in these letters that presents are
not important, but some are, and here it is. If I have given any of you joy,
love, or laughter throughout the years, then this present is important to give.
And as much as I wanted to stray away from advice, I have
one little thing to note, writing these letters these past years to you all was
the best thing I ever wrote.
So however YOU can express your love this Christmas do it,
maybe even start your own letter, because when you give your best it always is
your better.
I now pass you the pen and the paper, and I encourage you
all to find what is inside you and may that be your gift, because Christmas is
about what you give and that’s all it ever is.
Times have changed and we each have grown and I am not that
little girl I once was, but no passing of time could ever change each letter I
sent with love.
So if you toss these aside, or if you keep them in your
Christmas card box to save, please know giving you all love throughout these
years was the best gift I ever gave.
Christmas is about touching lives, loving people and helping
others by offering the love you have in yourself, so I choose to wish the same
meaningful Merry Christmas, the same one since I was 12.
No comments:
Post a Comment