Woke up this morning a bit melancholy as I am thinking of the many happy memories from our past Bichelmeyer Christmas gatherings.

Memories of Christmas Eve at Mom & Dad’s celebrating Jimbo’s birthday and our name drawing gift exchange with the inevitable “OVER THE LIMIT” shout outs.

Watching the “Christmas Play” each year with the same script but different children playing the part of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus as well as all the three wise “men” and all the Sheppard’s in their costume of towels (that I knew I would be washing and folding later).

The “Do You Hear What I Hear” moment I waited for all night when all of your beautiful voices came together in that perfect moment in song.

Memories during my early teenage years of wrapping Cindy’s many gifts from Jerry after his last minute dash to the mall on Christmas Eve dreaming of the day I would have a boyfriend who loved me as much as Jerry loved Cindy and thinking that Jerry actually had excellent taste in women’s clothing.

Memories of waking up on Christmas morning and rushing out to find my “pile” of presents all unwrapped and on display from “Santa” knowing Mom did not get a wink of sleep the night before yet that turkey dinner would be ready with all the fixins later in the day and it would not be until everyone else was content and settled post gifts and feast that she would find some time to nap on the sofa with her favorite afghan wrapped around her later that day. It was then (if I was lucky) that I would get the coveted spot on the couch by her side and we would just be still after all the merriment of the holiday.

These are the memories that wash over me as I wait for Scott and my boys to wake up this Christmas morning and the festivities to begin at the Lucas household.

I hope and pray that years from now as Chase & Nick look back at our holiday traditions and memories that they feel as much love and warmth and comfort from their childhood Christmas memories as I do from mine.

Thank you all for your part in my story.

I love you more than words can tell and hope to see each of you at the Bichelmeyer Family Christmas Gathering on January 1.

In the meantime wishing you a Merry Christmas Day with your special families and the joy of making your own memories.

Cheers!

Mary