When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things give off the greatest glow of happiness. –  Bob Hope

From: http://www.cherishyourday.com/ChristmasQuotes.html

I have been reminiscing about Christmas while growing up.  We lived in and around Windsor, Ontario where we very seldom saw snow on Christmas Day.  The first time we experienced a true white Christmas was when we moved to London, Ontario in the early seventies.

I have been digging down into the chest of those memories, some are very cherished, some will just stay at the bottom that chest.

Christmas morning always found myself and siblings excited to see all the presents under the tree.  There was one rule, we don’t touch them until my parents were out of bed.  I am not sure who had the more fun, us unwrapping the gifts, or the parents watching us letting out thrills of joy over our gifts.

Then we all would pack into the car to either go to my maternal grandmother for dinner, or just go visit the paternal grandparent.  Those visits also created some fond memories.

Now I live over a couple of thousand miles from that area, but, the memories are there at any time I wish to look in that chest of memories.

It is now me who is the father, the grandfather who is helping to create memories for those grand kids of mine.  There is no unwrapping of gifts Christmas morning.  Christmas Eve day is when they will visit, I will give my grandchildren the gifts I have for them.

Christmas Day will be quiet, sharing a meal together with my best friend.  Make some phone calls to my daughter and grandchildren to see how their Christmas morning went.

So, it’s those Christmas memories that I hold onto, memories that make me feel like I am back home with my late mother, grandmother.  It is those memories that I wrap myself in when I feel blue.