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[#1]

the spirit of the holidays is never far away when tradition is your own definition.

i have always wanted to be “traditional” in the sense that every holiday is spent with all of my family, seated around one table (not at the “kids” table), and each of us telling each other what we are thankful for.  then, retiring to the piano room (which i didn’t have growing up) and singing christmas carols.  this would be my dream holiday!  however, life and careers have taken david and i in a different direction and i have had to modify my dream so that it is closer to reality. 

living hundreds of miles from my family, it is often difficult to spend christmas together as a family unit.  but, the heart and spirit of the holiday is always close.  i continue traditions that my mother began, and her mother before her.  one such tradition is how we decorate the tree, i fill it with ornaments of memories.  each one that goes on gets a short synopsis of how it came about and why it is important in our life.  it is a special time for david and i to reflect on our almost 23 years as a married couple together.  my favorite is still the angel bell that my dad gave me when i was a very little girl.  i smile every time i see it!

another tradition is an ongoing giggle with my brother and sister involving kentucky cardinals.   as a kentucky girl growing up, my parents were proud and loved the state bird.  we had artwork of the famous, feathered friend throughout the house and an occasional figurine.  they were everywhere, actually.  so, each year i send my brother and sister a cardinal in some fashion.  this is what i sent them last year (thank you home reflections from qvc!).  i can’t wait to see and hear the reaction from this year’s gift!

the holidays are busy in general, and to make it more chaotic, david and i decided we should get married the day after christmas.  what started as a small wedding, resulted in 250 people in attendance.  i honestly thought more people would have other family commitments, but it turned out we were part of their family too.  it was a beautiful, snowy day on december 26, 1992.  i can’t believe we were able to pull it off and get through the holiday and then a wedding! 

the holidays will come and go, the calendar says so.  sometimes our “dream holiday” is just a dream, but that dream, and the reality of life, can become better than expected when you begin your own traditions.  however you celebrate, don’t miss a beat!  soak it all in and be aware!  miracles are all around us just waiting to be recognized.

i want to wish you and your families the most joyous of holidays and a very happy new year!  and good luck with those resolutions!

xoxo

mari lyn