Christmas firsts, lasts and all the in-between

By Kate McCarrell

Guest Columnist

Some wise words from Charlie Brown – “It is not what is under the Christmas tree… It is who is around it that counts.”  

 

I had a “what its like to live in a house with five boys during the holidays” column all thought out and ready to write. But I couldn't get something else off my mind. Last week we lost a special member of our community. It got me thinking about how this Christmas we all will be experiencing some sort of first, last or continued emotions of somewhere in the middle.  

 

Last week’s car accident that claimed the life of Michelle Raybon affected so many people. I stood in the Edna Elementary office waiting for my boys’ Christmas parties, watching tear-streaked faces of her current and former students come out of the library where they were being counseled. Teachers and staff were red-faced and clearly emotionally drained. I even saw some of Michelle’s family there just trying to hold it together.  

 

This Christmas, there will be a husband, mother, father, brother, grandparents, cousins, family and friends who will celebrate their first holiday without their beloved. A first that they will always remember and I’m sure each one of them are thinking back to the last moments, memories and holidays they had all together.

 

This year, someone very dear to me is spending her first Christmas separated from her husband. It will be the first year that her precious children won't be able to run in to wake up mom and dad at the crack of dawn to see what Santa brought them. It might be the last holiday they spend in the place they have always known as home. 

 

I know that it never crossed her mind last year to consider that it was one of the “lasts” they would have all together. Unfortunately, I’m aware that she is just one of many that will experience this first and many more who are possibly experiencing their last as well.  

 

We also have to think about the men and women who are serving our country in the military. Many of them are spending their first Christmas away from home – or first away from their families. 

 

Not only are they gone for the holiday but they might be missing a child’s first Christmas or the last that they could have with a parent or grandparent. Although we focus on these folks during the holidays, I know that they miss a lot of firsts and lasts throughout the year. They sacrifice so much for each and every one of us here at home as do their families.       

 

On a lighter note, if you scroll through the different social medias, you will see that many people will be celebrating first Christmases with their babies. Some are so young that they wont have a clue whats going on and some will be just old enough to enjoy the boxes that the gifts come in. Forget the toys – tearing the wrapping paper is where the real fun is! I love seeing pictures of families with their first child. 

 

Although it’s a special time with any child (first or last) there is something magical – a special twinkle in the eyes of the parents that first time around.  It’s like they realize that it’s not about them anymore and the joy of watching their kids exceeds any tangible gift that they could receive.  

 

So with all the firsts and lasts, there are still people in between. Some are spending their second or third holiday without a dear friend or family member and emotions are still very raw. Others have spent many years without their loves ones. My grandmother, for example, will spend her 43rd holiday without my grandfather and we are going on our ninth Christmas without my dad.   Fortunately for both my grandmother and mom, I have five crazy boys that keep things busy on a daily basis and they demand their attention whether they want to give it or not!  I know for me, it’s in the quiet moments that the sorrow of not having the ones I love here with us hits me. I’m sure its different for everyone, though. 

 

My wish for you all this season is that you appreciate and enjoy the simplest things. Time spent with family and loved ones is the greatest gift you will receive!  

 

In a season of firsts, lasts and all the in-between, may you always remember the true reason for the season –  For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6