On the eve EVE of Christmas I find myself reminiscing. So many lovely memories of Christmas' past that I found myself smiling wide. Here are just a couple that came to mind.
EVERY Christmas Eve Dad and I would take off, have lunch, and do shopping for Mom. It started because he procrastinated and I offered to help him, then it just became tradition. He always bought me a gift as well. I'd spend all year thinking of something he could buy me. Something Dad could have input on.
Christmas' in Hawaii. We leave in 3 days for Hawaii. Mom and Dad loved spending the holidays in Hawaii. We'd fly into Honolulu and see the Dionisio's. Then off to another island we'd go. There was always family that joined on and off. There was always soooo much food - we'd laugh at how much dad would buy for a week.
One of our first Christmas' as a family my last give was a box with a note in it. The note said, "Go check the trunk of the Thunderbird." I went outside and in it was the comforter I wanted so badly. It was white with a black cat and a red heart. I was sooo excited I could barely contain myself. I ran back into the house and stopped short to see Mom holding a black and white kitten for me. Sylvester. She told me it was all Dad's idea...
Grandma Miller used to wrap her packages with this amazingly colorful foil wrap. Each package was decorated to YOUR liking.
I could go on and on. I was pretty lucky to have such great parents who took Christmas seriously. Not only about gifts, but about the love that was felt.
The closer to Hawaii we get, the more I think about Mom and Dad and how they'd be joining us. They'll be missed and I guarantee there will be conversations about Dad and the pineapples he bought.
Merry Christmas everyone.
