A letter to my mother...

Dear mom,
Growing up, Christmas was always my favorite holiday.  It was always filled with family, memorable moments and of course the gifts, oh the gifts galore!  We never went without, as far as I remember.  I know I was never always a grateful child, I know there were moments when I acted like a spoiled brat and didn't appreciate what I receive.  And knowing that, I am grateful for a patient and loving mother. 

Now I am a mother.  I have 3 children who are incredibly lucky (and spoiled).  I work hard each Holiday Season to make each better than the last.  I try to hard to create and purchase memorable gifts for them so that they have amazing memories they can look upon in the years to come.  This year I had a revelation.  I do all of this because of my mother.  I follow in her incredibly giving and loving footsteps.  Some may call us crazy, some may call our kids spoiled, but for us, it's making memories.  I hope and pray each day that they will remember the amazing family memories amongst the gifts they receive each year, for that is what I remember the most.  Sure, I got some amazing presents each and every year.  From American Girl Dolls to that feather bed comforter I was dying to have, but the times I remember most are the times we spent as a family.

I hate to admit, but after 6 years of being a mother, I just finally came to this realization.  I finally put myself in my mother's shoes.  I finally realized what all her effort was for.  It was for us and our smiles and excitement on Christmas morning.  I don't do any of this to impress our neighbors, or friends, I do this to relive Christmas through my children's eyes, because honestly, there is no better thing than this. 

For all that my mother taught me (and she taught me a lot in the realm of gift giving, just ask my dad), this is one of my most favorite lessons learned.  I'm sure at this point both my dad and Brian are grimacing but I truly enjoy every last bit of chaos that Christmas brings.  It makes me happy, and I am always sad when it is done.  For me, Christmas started with Jesus' birth, but ultimately it's a time of family and giving and everything I do is because of my mom.  Thank you mom, I love you.

Michelle