In October of 2011, Zach wanted a new bike and a new iPod
touch…for Christmas. He begged and
begged Mark to let him have those gifts early.
Mark has a soft spot for ALL our children and couldn’t resist letting
Zach have those gifts early. Zach’s
smile was worth the world when he was able to squeeze his Dad for what he
wanted.
Zach proudly rode his new bike everyday. I would see him riding that bike everywhere
out our back window. I even saw him
riding off of some of the empty lot’s cliffs.
He was grinning ear to ear and I was saying silent prayers that he
wouldn’t get hurt. With the sun in his
face and the wind at his back, he was a boy having an adventure. His adventure was discovering what he could
do on his bike and where it could take him.
Zach’s Christmas was in October. We are so glad we let him have those simple
gifts. As within a few months, his
Christmas would be spent with our Savior and ours would be spent mourning his
passing.
How different this time of year has become for us. I suppose our souls have become a little more
in tune with the “reason we celebrate the season.” We yearn to lift and help someone who is less
fortunate. We long to serve those who
are alone or downtrodden. We most
certainly want to extend our hands in love to those who have suffered the loss
of a loved one~we understand this deep sense of loss.
As I observe the goings-on this Christmas time of year, I
have found:
- · Parents and Grandparents trying to provide the one gift that will bring joy to their child/grandchild
- · Friends baking delicious treats to give to those they love
- · Happy faces (and some crying ones) when people go to visit Santa at the mall
- · Beautiful Christmas cards with pictures of their happy families
- · Phone calls letting people know you are thinking of them
- · Homes decorated with lights, Christmas trees, and some even with yard art
- · Beautiful Creche exhibits that remind us “why” we even celebrate this time of year
- · Our beautiful temples lighting the way to help bring a deeper understanding of why we believe that families are eternal
At this time of year, it would be easy to have a
“bah-humbug” attitude. It would be easy
to say, “Why decorate?” It would be SO
easy to avoid the shopping mayhem. It
would be easy to forget that there are many who are suffering. It would be easy to become consumed with
personal grief. But, those are all
choices that would only lead me down a path of doom and gloom. Those choices would not bring me happiness nor any amount of joy.
What it boils down to is this: the choice is simply
mine. I choose to spend money on things
my children and grandchildren may not need, but would bring them joy. In turn, this makes my heart swell. I choose to decorate. I suppose I decorate now to simply honor this
Christmas season. I also remember how
much Zach enjoyed putting each and every ornament on the tree. It brought him great joy to help
decorate. This also makes my heart
swell.
I choose to give thanks to my Father in Heaven who lovingly
gave His Son, our Redeemer that we may have the opportunity to return and live
with Him, His Son, and our families, eternally, again one day. Our Savior is our own personal Gift from God. I am ever grateful that through my trials, I
may turn to Him and He can calm and lift my weary heart.
At this Christmas season, I invite you to share what is
good, wonderful, and right in your life.
The world and media would like for us to focus on the opposite. However, be the answer to someone’s
prayer. Be the quiet miracle who gave
without recognition. Be the smile to an
over worked cashier. Be gentle. Be kind.
And most of all, be loving. These
are but a few of the qualities and character attributes the Savior
exemplified. I want to be better, to improve,
but I need to make better choices in order to accomplish a more Christ-like
attitude and life. I want Zach to be
happy and proud of my good decisions. I
want him to say, “Way to go Mom!”
And...as always...I have to give you a song <3
Gone, but not forgotten <3
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