Winter is quickly approaching our new home and with that comes holiday celebrations, family gatherings, shopping, decorations, and a general sense of happiness. Yet for me the winter months are often the worst! Not only has the cold settled in on my bones, but a sadness sweeps over me. Most of this sadness comes from my overly nostalgic nature, but some of it can be attributed to depression. Though I love the holiday season, starting from the very first fall celebration right down to New Years and even into February where we celebrate Valentines day. I enjoy sharing of myself in ways such as cooking meals and making gifts and wrapping them.
I often find myself saddened at the holiday season thinking about family, friends and "lost" traditions. I know I know, I'm far too sentimental for my own well being!! But bare with me for a few as a I explain. I miss the family "togetherness" that occurred during my childhood. I honestly miss things like visiting the pumpkin patch, decorating the tree, making cookies with my mom, and the Christmas gift shopping with my brothers. I look back over the last four years and instead of seeing some of these things (yes some are still present, but not as much) I miss the little things. Instead I see in their place things such as decorating my own tree (that I have done alone in years past), making my own cookies (though this is still a tradition my mom tries to do when I am home) and cooking my own turkey! I am glad in a way that these are traditions that I had as a child, and things I think very fondly about around this time of year. I have come to the realization that it is time for David and I to take on our own traditions, keeping some of the old ones and creating our own new ones. I can't help but wonder what our future children will see when they are grown and remember the things David and I did with them during the holidays.
The holidays also come with a certain sadness in our family now. We are grown up, and with that comes the dropping of certain childish traditions and separate lives. The holidays have also been sad since the loss of my grandfather, whom I miss dearly. He was a very special person in our childhood and someone who's loss is greatly felt in our hearts. Coming together on my mother's side of the family hasn't felt the same since, though we have moved on with our lives, we still take pause and remember.
Also during this time of the year I often find myself missing my siblings and parents much more. I miss Indiana and (oddly enough) the snow! I miss the days of going to the pumpkin patch with my brothers, picking pumpkins, and drinking warm apple cider. (Granted this tradition hasn't occurred since my youngest brother entered the phase of his life that this was no longer cool!) I find myself longing for those silly little outings as a family and I find myself regretting (however small) moving away from home. Of course Joshua and I no longer live at home, and Jacob is quickly approaching the age where he will leave the nest. Since we are scattered in our various homes, it makes family celebrations much more difficult. We must plan time to visit and make arrangements to leave our homes for periods of time. Unfortunately thats part of life when you are grown and away from home.
That being said, my conversations with David have turned to things that he misses from his childhood and traditions he would like to keep going. We both agree that things like a Christmas tree, pumpkins, and family dinners will be a must in our home, but aside from that we are uncertain. I of course will continue the practice of making turkey for Thanksgiving and dressing up for Halloween. (Though Halloween will be discussed as we have children) I'm certain that in years to come we will see where the road takes us and what traditions we will incorporate into our home.
Finally we ask for your prayers on a few things. I interviewed this week for a job that has been offered to me. We are waiting on the background check to come and then I may start. We also ask that you keep my Dad in your prayers. He has a case of cellulitess in his knee from a minor spill he took last week. He's on medication now and should be good as new soon. Just pray that everything heals well! Of course we ask that you continue to pray for my grandmother as she continues to battle the Lymphoma. And finally we ask you pray for our friends Bart and Andi Cameron as they will be heading back to the states from their internship in Mexico. Andi is pregnant (this is their first) and they will be continuing their educations at JBC coming in the spring. So they will have a few adjustments to make!! I am thrilled to no end for them (Andi was my roomate and I have known Bart since childhood) and continue to be amazed at the work God is doing in them and through them!! :-D
As always we love you guys!!
David and Sarah Heselton
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