Sunday, December 15, 2013

Count your blessings

It's 10 days until Christmas.

TEN.

Are you ready?! Happily, I am all done shopping except for 1 gift; a gift card, so it's easy! I am so excited! This is, by far, my favorite time of year. All the excitement, happiness and food, don't forget all the cookies, cakes and now that Albert doesn't eat meat, MEAT!! Really. I look forward to going to peoples house for meals in hopes there will be meat now! Ha!

I have also realized over the past couple weeks how incredibly lucky I am. I have an amazing husband and kid; my little family of three is perfect. We both have a job and a roof over our heads. We also have had no real tragedy happen to us. In the past couple weeks I've had some friends and family share their sad, new realities with me. I feel so badly for these people but because of all the grief I've heard I've also realized how incredibly lucky I am.

My Uncle (my Dad's brother) passed away last week due to a very long struggle with diabetes. A friend of mine has become a single Dad with a young, special needs daughter, whom he shares custody with his ex. Albert's co-workers wife, will be taking their 2.5 year old to spend time with her family out of state (she is a stay-at-home Mom) over Christmas because her Dad is very ill and could pass away any day now. So he,Albert's co-worker, will be alone over the holidays because the wife isn't sure when they will be back. :(  (Luckily his family lives very close)

These situations are just some of the sad realities I've heard about recently. I'd give almost anything to  take away these peoples (including the ones I didn't mention) pain. So count your blessings people. I mean really. You may not get (or receive) that perfect gift this Christmas for (or from) someone or the stress of it all may get you down but at least you have your spouse and/or your family with you. It's the little things we need to remember and appreciate, especially this time of year when the focus is so much on family.

My Dad however, is slowly reuniting with his family he was stripped from so early in life. As I told my cousin, her Dad is now with family he hasn't seen in years. My Grandma passed away when I was very young, then it was my Dad. About 10 years ago my Grandpa passed away, then this Fall my Aunt and now my Uncle. I hardly knew my Uncle, he and his family lived in Montana for as long as I can remember but I still feel his loss. I am incredibly sad for my cousins and Aunt who now have to learn to live without him. Please pray for them, pray for them to get through the holidays with as much happiness and love as possible.

Getting together with family may not be your favorite thing to do; it can be stressful or even miserable for some but they are your family. Remember, someday, they will no longer be here. Hug the ones you love a little tighter this holiday; because you can.

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