Christmas spirit

I love Christmas. I love everything about it; the houses decorated in lights reflecting off the white snow, the smell of smoke as it rises off a chimney, the corny Christmas advertisements on T.V. (what happened to the coca cola commercials with the polar bears?) the smell of cinnamon, cloves and ginger candles, the Christmas carols that play on the radio 24-7 as soon as Thanksgiving has passed, favorite Christmas movies (Home Alone and Elf!!!) The smell of Christmas cookies as they leave the oven fresh and hot! Christmas carols, the smell of the pines on a Christmas tree, the bustling rush of every mall and store for the entire month of December, Christmas musicals like A Christmas Carol and a Tuna Christmas. Cute scarves and matching mittens, hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps and weekends in the Rocky Mountains with friends. Icy roads and nights spent at home listening to Josh groban by candlelight. The song "Carol of the Bells" and "All I want for Christmas," the cheerful greetings of people you pass by on the sreets and the stores. Reading books like "The Worst Christmas Pagent Ever," roaring fires and popcorn; Tran siberian orchestra rocking it out, warm sweaters, and cute jackets. Christmas trees and ornaments, the Nutcracker and cheesy Hallmark movies. Playing canasta with family, drinking egg nog every chance you get and singing Les Mis followed by Amy Grant's Christmas while you decorate the tree, watching every movie you've missed for the past year with your family and sitting in a hot tub looking at the stars in good ole' VA.

Most of all I love those moments spent with loved ones, smiling and laughing, remembering the good times and hoping for the future. I love how the holiday's remind you of who's important and WHAT's important. Sometimes I wish it were Christmas all the time...but then it probably wouldn't be as special!

Christmas is the best time of year; a time when even though things are challenging this year, I'm reminded of how lucky I am. It's an awesome time to tell your friends I LOVE YOU- you've made a difference in my life. Hold your friends close and tell your family you love them even if you have told them a million times.

Most importantly, remember the little Baby who came to this earth to give you hope for a future.

Christmas 2006- it's gonna rock!!!!!!!