Merry Christmas, everyone!

I have been so blessed throughout my life to have a family that truly shares in the joy of Christmas.

One of my favorite family traditions is the annual baking of Christmas cookies with my sister and nieces. Actually, they usually do the baking and I usually supervise. I do allow myself to decorate at least a couple of sugar cookies and the end result of my labors usually has us rolling on the floor trying to wipe the tears from our eyes. Like the year I gave my Santa cookie M&M eyes. Poor Santa looked like he had just been to the eye doctor. This year I had to refrain from the decorating since I am recovering from a virus.  If laughter is good for the soul then we get at least a year’s worth of medicine in one afternoon.

My sister does pass out the cookies to friends and neighbors, but I believe the practical side of baking the cookies is secondary to the time we spend together. In addition to the unbridled laughter, each cookie baking day includes plenty of talking, singing, impromptu dancing, and reminiscing with great fondness, the years my mom (Grandma Jean) was a part of our festivities.

The musical highlight for me is when my sister plays the Bing Crosby Merry Christmas album. The very first time I remember hearing that album I was barely four years old and living at my Grandmother Alice’s house. Every subsequent Christmas of my childhood found Bing playing in the background, a tradition that my sister passed on to her girls. I find great joy in the fact that although my nieces never knew their great Grandmother Alice and their Grandma Jean has been gone for quite some time, they are still connected to the memories of past family Christmases by the music of Bing Crosby.

Family, cookie baking, and Bing; now that’s the stuff a lifetime of memories are made of.

My Christmas wish for you is able to create a memory this holiday that touches your heart. If you have any special Christmas or holiday traditions, I would love to hear from you!

Wishing you the best this holiday season,

Laura