Christmas Eve of long ago......

Christmas Eve is my favorite.....maybe more than Christmas Day.....magic filling the air....the feeling palpable....and I often think about all the traditions I walked through in my lifetime....and that undeniable piece, where we do not know when it is the last time....the last time we share a tradition with a group of people....and mostly that makes me think of my grandparents.....trying to remember when the last time they came to my parent's house for Christmas Eve was, and I don't remember, it just faded into the new, and then we used to all head to church, and then had snacks at my mom and dad's....excited for the arrival of Santa....and then they would head home, and return for us to open up our presents......we waited in our rooms till they arrived.....and that tradition continued with my kids, and my parents....and this year will be different....my parents will be at my brother's house....watching their sweet babe, while they both preach for Christmas Eve service, and then they are sleeping over.....so we are shifting tradition some....and my parents are coming today.....for an early dinner, and presents with us....and we are headed to our own church tonight, and doing cozy Christmas Eve together.....just the three of us, and then Christmas morning.....which happened a couple of times due to us being in quarantine during Christmas.....Christmas has taken on a different vibe in the past few years for sure....and then we will go to my brother's for dinner tomorrow....and despite the difference in the years, the last few.....I have to say this holiday season was a favorite of mine.....all the ways:) We really enjoyed it....and that was partially a result of decorating earlier! Extending the holiday somehow....and we had so much fun, my kids feeling the same.....bathed in the magic alongside me.....and so we will embrace change.....and shifted traditions....realizing so fully that change really is the only constant....nothing stays the same.....nothing....so I will create, and participate in the magic of this day....and enjoy church tonight.....and my parents....and the kids and I will enjoy our quiet little Christmas morning.....and a part of my heart will hold the past inside of it....my sweet grandparents....and my missing them so, I loved them dearly, and felt their love so completely for a long time:) Merry Christmas Eve y'all:) I hope wherever your are, you enjoy every minute:)