12.23.2009

Have a wonderful Christmas all....

I am signing off till the 26th.
I am not going to think of eating, or exercising or blogging, or anything else.
For the next two days it's Christmas, and family.
I am going to enjoy my holiday
(that said...I did make it to the gym today and work out for one hour...burned 650 calories and did 100 situps)
No workout for two days straight...whatever will my body think?
lol.
And here I will share a favorite Christmas memory.

When I was 12, my mother finally divorced He who shall not be named.
They had been separated, but it was going to be our first Christmas without the douche.
We went down to my uncle Richard's house like we always did.
We had a nice Christmas...no tension....just happiness.
We had almost no money. My mom was driving a pinto with no back window (which we duck taped over)...
The car had no radio, no heat....
So on our way home we were just talking ....we were hoping for snow, and up to that point it hadn't snowed (or snowed much)...we were driving late at night and noticing the lights on people's homes.(which is where I got my tradition of driving around looking at lights)....we got to a long dark stretch of highway and it started to snow...I remember saying to my mom, I am going to ask God for it to snow...and then it started snowing. We all started singing Christmas carols.
It is my favorite memory...and it didn't have a thing to do with gifts.
That year my mom made us quilts out of the douche's clothes. The quilts were awesome.
We (my brothers and I) kept them even after we grew up and to a one, they were our favorite gifts. My mom had a knack for taking lemons and making lemonade. Or taking the clothes of a douche and making an awesome gift out of them.

I just wanted to say to you all that appreciate you very much...you have helped make this journey that much easier. Your comments and support have been a gift that is priceless
Around my house you are like friends I just mention.
My family is getting used to it now. TJ and her cooking, Foodie girl and Kansas and Jack and his conversation starters and dozens of others.
Merry Christmas you guys.
I hope it is joy filled, and love filled.
God Bless and Hugs,
Chris

17 comments:

Christine Jeske said...

Aww what an awesome memory! Merry Christmas, Chris and here's to all the best in 2010! ♥

outdoor.mom said...

Merry Christmas!! Enjoy your break :-) Glad you have such a good mom! Will you get to see her?

paulawannacracker said...

You have an awesome mom... Merry Christmas Chris...

Sheilagh said...

A wonderful Christmas memory, Glod Bless your mom:o)

Happy Christmas and Very Best wishes for the New Year.

Hugs

Sheilagh

Linda Pressman said...

Have a wonderful Christmas, Chris and enjoy your break, you've been very dedicated to your blog!

Your mom had a lot of guts to leave - really amazing. And how great that you guys knew that and that any sacrifice was worth it.

Linda

Retta said...

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. I know you are building new wonderful memories that your own kids can look back on.
Loretta
=^..^=

Boozy Tooth said...

That year my mom made us quilts out of the douche's clothes.

OMFG!!! I LOVE your mother!! It's like the most enterprising way to say sayonara... here, let me rip all your stinking clothes to shreds, like you did to my hopes and dreams and trust and love, and I will craft from their smoldering embers a beautiful new thing that in no way resembles the former - just like I will take my daughter and craft a beautiful new life that in no way resembles the former. Your mom is a goddess and it certainly rubbed off.

But the best part of your post was the truth that our fondest happiest moments are always shared with people we love and cultivated in the heart. Wondrous, magical times that have nothing to do with things....

I love you funny darling Chris. I love your spirit, your humor, and your heart. Merry Christmas to you and yours - but not to the douche! Never to the douche!

Unknown said...

Loved your story Chris - that is what Christmas is about... Love and Family.

Hope you have a fantastic next couple of days - Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

Relax and enjoy your holiday! Merry Christmas Chris! Have a wonderful time with your family! :)

Melissa said...

Merry Christmas Chris!! You are an inspiration every day and I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Tony said...

That was a very endearing story. Merry Christmas Chris!

KrysTros said...

Merry Christmas Chris! I hope you and your family have a great holiday!

Syl said...

What a great story,
my best christmas was the year my dad died, it was our first christmas without him and a very hard one, but my husband and I and our kids did alot for the less fortunate that year, it replaced the void and it thought my kids that it wasn't just about christmas. Now it's a tradition we do and look forward to!
Hope you had a great Christmas.

South Beach Steve said...

Chris, this is really a great post. It sure makes you stop and think about those things that are really important. It's not the gifts our kids will remember, it is that time with us or other family members that make the memories.

bbubblyb said...

Great memory, made me smile.

Cole Walter Mellon said...

Still haven't found a better fitness center conversation starter than "So... do you read my blog?"

Happy holidays!

Hanlie said...

I know what you mean! I'm always referring to "my friend Chris", "my friend Evita", etc. I learn so much from my fellow bloggers and I enjoy being part of the community.

You mean a lot to me, because you have triumphed over so many things in life and I am learning from you. For many years I had been in denial - by either drinking, eating or smoking too much to avoid FEELING. You're showing me a different way. Thank you.