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AW: A note from my aunt
My aunt wrote this a few weeks ago and it's so pretty I feel like it needs to be shared. I hope it touches you the same way it touched me.
"Say what you want about Christmas. Call it commercial, call it whatever you like. But let me tell you what Christmas means to me, and what it means to this country as well.
For me Christmas is as much a state of mind, or maybe even, a state of the heart. Christmas makes all things new again, because of the ?giving? state of mind. And not just the giving of gifts purchased from your box store retailer, but giving of baked goods, food, friendship, and most of all, of good cheer. Any day, event or holiday that can put a smile on your face, can?t be all bad.
Christmas is family. A time where you meet under a beautifully decorated tree, and exchange things that make you smile. You cannot seriously think that the look on a small child?s face when he is first aware of the tree and all its lights, and colorfully wrapped gifts for them to tear into, isn?t worth the effort. Christmas is every memory you make on that day, and talk about for a lifetime to come. The laughs, the fun of the gift hunt, and the joy of watching someone you love, open something just for them. I remember the first Christmas morning I woke up and realized it was the first time in the life of my children that we were not together on Christmas morning. Sure, we still get together now, after we?ve all had the chance to recover from the party the night before, but that waking up to wide-eyed children had past?? Until now. Enter the Grandson! A whole new generation to be awed by the stories, the music, the lights, the tv shows, and yes, the presents. And me, the Grandma who gets to experience that all over again, not just through his eyes, but also through my son, as he gets to watch his son?s amazement. Christmas is happiness, it is the one time a year people try to do good things, family members forgive each other etc. Sure, you could say this should live year round, there should not be one day where people act this way, agreed, but we are human, and if we don?t set aside a day, you know it will not happen that way.
Christmas is commercial: Okay, so? Do you have ANY idea how bad the economy would be if we did not spend money in the month between black Friday and Christmas? So what if people say it?s shameful, or exploitive, I know better. Christmas is good for the heart, good for the soul, and good for the economy.
Just yesterday I was the recipient of a random act of kindness. During my visit to my local Dunkin Donuts for my coffee, when I drove through the window and offered my money, the clerk told me, ?your breakfast was already paid for by the women in the car ahead of you, she said to tell you, God bless and Merry Christmas? I intend to pay that forward, and also to wish a ?Merry Christmas?. Not ?happy holiday, but MERRY CHRISTMAS. To me it does not matter if you are Christian or not, what I am wishing you is all the best of my holiday. Whether you partake or not, I wish you the best during this season, and all it has to offer. Do not be offended, you are free to wish me a Happy Whatever, and wish me the best of your holiday.
For me, I love the lights, the stories, the tv shows, and the presents. Christmas makes me happy. You will be able find me on Christmas, reading the story of Christmas to my Grandson, and bleary-eyed, watching him open the pretty wrapped gifts that Santa left for him.
From my family to yours, MERRY CHRISTMAS!"