Holidays can be difficult when we are missing someone special and can be especially loaded with emotional memories. These memories are gifts of love left for us to savor.

When I was very much a child without funds to buy gifts I still wanted to give my mother something very special for Christmas.   She was the beacon of love for me, my first friend, my caregiver, my teacher.   I looked upon her as a never ending supply for meeting my needs.  But I wanted to make her happy too, I wanted to give something to her to show how much I loved her, not really understanding that just being her child gave her more joy than I imagined.

She had a statute by her bed; it was French in nature, a woman in plaster with a renaissance look.  I don’t know where she got it from but it somehow magically appeared by her bedside and I knew it meant something to her.  So I asked her for it, she said “no”. I asked her again, again she said “no”. I pleaded to her to give it to me, all along in my little head knowing I would wrap it up and give it back to her Christmas morning.  I was relentless, pleading, cajoling, demanding, and whimpering. I must have it! I think finally she figured out my purpose without letting on. She graciously gave in and gave it to me.  I lovingly put it in a shoe box and wrapped it.

On Christmas morning I presented it to her with such pride, here was a present from me to show her how much I loved her! A present she had bestowed upon me and now I returned with as much love. When my Mom opened it up she feigned surprise to my delight and said “Oh!! How did you know how much I love this?” It was a brilliant moment for both of us.

My Mom celebrates the holidays in Heaven these days, I am sure it is lovely there, magical in fact. I embrace the best memories as a testament to the love we shared. I hope all of you find those lovely little moments to cherish and make new ones this year with gifts of love.