As the hustle and bustle of the holidays gets into full swing I often feel overwhelmed by all the busyness, and long for a simpler time like an old country Christmas like when I was a child. I miss the days of old and some of the little things are what I miss the most.

When I was younger I still got excited with all the wonders of Christmas- the excitement of going out and cutting down our own Christmas tree, then decorating it with some handmade ornaments, making cookies with my grandma, and snow angels with my brothers, and staring at the twinkle lights for hours. Oh the beauty of its simplicity back then! Oh how I miss those days!

From making my Christmas list for Santa to going with my Grandpa Ray to buy little Christmas gifts for everyone in my family, those special times were always something I looked forward to each year. Back then my grandpa could hand each of us grandkids $10 or $20 and it would buy all of us a little something under the tree. It truly was a simpler time. I think families were happier and more content with the little things back then. Simply gathering around the table to enjoy a meal together was a common sight unlike today where families often don’t eat together or they just drive through and grab something and eat it on their way home.

I miss the old days of all of the family getting together every Sunday after church and enjoying a homemade meal with Grandma Eloise’s fresh, hot rolls and then naps before evening church.

I miss taking a little drive on Saturday or Sunday afternoon. We would just drive and enjoy God’s scenery or we might even pack a picnic lunch to enjoy somewhere along the way.

We also loved to just go out to the farm and check on the cows and count the calves being born. Or we might go down to the river or our pond and do a little fishing. We even loved taking a walk, picking wildflowers and wild plums or blackberries to make homemade jam later. Time just seemed to run slower back then and everything about life seemed so much simpler than now.

I miss our family trips from Branson to Yellowstone. I miss riding all the rides, watching the shows and seeing all the pretty lights. I also miss packing up the car and packing out the ice chest so we could eat sandwiches along the way.

We weren’t rich by any means but we seemed to enjoy the little things and now the little things turned out to be the big things I remember and miss the most.

I miss my dad and my grandparents and wish I could go back, even if only in my dreams.

So this holiday slow down a little and enjoy the Christmas lights on your own tree. Make cookies with the grandkids or snow angels with your children. Stop and remember the simpler times and realize it’s not all about the gifts under the tree, but who’s around the table this Christmas. Take the time to take that scenic drive and have an impromptu picnic on the side of the road. Tell your parents and grandparents how much they mean to you while you still have them and don’t miss out on the little things because in the end it will be the things you miss the most.