Homes by Lara Fast

WHAT IS THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT?

When I was a little girl money was tight. I'm a child of the 60s and most families during that time struggled with money.

One thing I remember about Christmases during those years is that my parents made sure we had one. Our trees were huge or so they seemed because we were so small. The lights were twinkly and the ornaments placed by my family. It was such an enjoyable time for my sister and me. Christmases then were hopeful and exciting. It was different from our later Christmases when finances changed for Mom and Dad and we got older and had jobs. What we didn't get for Christmas we could go out and buy.

I miss those long ago Christmases. I miss the childlike excitement! I miss not being able to sleep the night before and being so excited the next morning. I believe that my mom and dad did the best they could to make that time of year special for us during those harder times. I appreciate and cherish those memories. I would give anything to have one of those Christmases back.

My mom left us two years ago.

The best Christmas gift isn't a thing. It's a memory and this memory repeats itself year after year after year. It's the gift that keeps on giving and there's no tangible thing that can replace those long ago Christmases.

Merry Christmas, mom and dad. I miss you.