There’s something to be said about the magic of Christmas. Not only is it about the birth of our Savior who came as a babe in a manger many years ago, it’s also about the spirit of Christmas that should live in us each and every day. The spirit of Christmas is to me the spirit of kindness and togetherness. It’s about compassion, forgiveness and acceptance. It’s not simply a day of exchanging gifts; it’s a time of coming together to celebrate life and everything we have been so blessed with. It isn’t all about the things but the people that we still have in our lives from grandparents to grandchildren.
Though I lost my last grandparent 10 years ago, I still remember all the good times and what each grandparent brought into my life. Like my great, great grandma, Pluma Stumpff, who lived to almost 102, she showed me how to always serve others first. She ran the church bus route for the elderly and was 92 when she turned in her keys to the pastor and told him that he would need to start picking her up and all her friends. She was a sweet and spicy little thing and all eight of her children believed they were her favorite.
I remember enjoying a few Christmases with my mom’s parents, Grandma and Grandpa Stumpff. My Grandma Mary would always wore red lipstick, a festive sweater and lots of jewelry while my Grandpa Eugene would ask you how good you were doing in school or work. He was a military man and then went on to teach at a college so education and discipline were top priority in his life. My fondest picture of them was one I took of them as they were sitting together on their front porch, swinging, smiling and waving goodbye to us. These are just some of the great memories that will always be embedded in my brain.
Most of my childhood memories are around my dad’s parents, who we lived closest to on Tiger Mountain. My Grandma Eloise and Grandpa Ray were the grandparents that helped raise us and let me tell you, that was no easy feat. With two older brothers, growing up on a farm wasn’t the easiest life. I learned at a very young age what it takes to feed a family, and tend to livestock and fur babies in general. I promise you, I never said I was bored. There was always something to do on the farm like feeding the animals, fishing, gardening or fixing something that had broken down. However, we always had time to eat together as a family and we went to church together as a family. In fact, the last Wednesday night I had with my Grandpa Ray was spent at church. He would suffer a fatal heart attack after we returned home that evening but I had the pleasure of his company on that special night.
Years later I would also tell my Grandma Eloise that I loved her on my way out the door to church on a Sunday. During her last year of being sick, she had made it clear that I wouldn’t miss church on her account. Of course she had lived with me that last year of her life as my mother and I took turns tending to her in my home. For those bitter sweet memories I will always be grateful. So I wasn’t surprised when my mother called to say she had passed while I was at church. She had been asking “What was taking my daddy and Ray so long on her house?” I had told her they were just making sure it was perfect and I’m sure it was the moment she arrived.
Christmas used to be a huge gathering of my extended family – my grandparents, my brothers with their wives and children and my family, even a few friends, but now times have changed. Loved ones have passed away, siblings have moved to other states, and now it’s just my immediate family who gets together for Christmas. Though there are moments I am sad to think so much has changed, I am still so grateful for all I have enjoyed throughout the years at Christmas. That same spirit of Christmas unites our hearts together even if we can’t physically be together. We remember all the good times – the laughter we shared, the kindness we showed, and the giving of not just gifts but our time and our hearts. We remember the stories told of a baby born so long ago and we sing “Joy to the World the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King.” We remember the real reason for Christmas and we celebrate that spirit of Christmas in our hearts always and forever.
I pray the memories of Christmases past make you grateful for all you have been giving in your lifetime. May the magic of Christmas warm your home this year and may the spirit of Christmas live in your heart every day in this next year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
