I'm just asking....

Dear God,

Can I ask you something? Why?

Love,
Claudia

IN THE MIDST OF IT ALL!!

Yicks! 8 days till Christmas! About now is when I start second guessing my choice of gift giving! Is it dumb, ridiculous, 'grandmaish', or just plain 'regifting' material?!! I remember the Christmas' when my mom was always so excited about something she had sewed or found on sale that she was just certain us girls would love. And yes, the obligatory oo's and ah's were made...'thanks mom, just the right size, just what I needed, just the right color!' Well, now it's my turn to receive those comments from my married kids, plus the 'say thank you to grandma' that is forced on the grands when they open my gift. The circle of life, or should I say gifts.....here I am in the midst of Christmas chaos, second guessing myself as I'm sure my mom did. I've truly turned into my mother....and I don't mind it! She put so much time and effort into those loving gestures and would have been devastated to see the way we laughed at the panties that were 3 sizes to big, or the leopard printed vests sewn with a eye to fashion...well, at least HER eye! The guys always received socks, underwear and the more than one occasion KMart flannel shirt..not to mention the gloves that when used for one good shoveling sprang a hole! But you know what? Mom had little money to spend. She saved all year to be sure everyone had at least one gift from her. She shopped all year long to find each indivdual gift that she deemed just perfect for whomever. She could stretch a dollar farther than any person I've ever known and always for someone else,...she was love in motion.
I miss my mom. Especially this time of year. I miss seeing her bake, sew, give and love. Her generosity to others puts me to shame, but I was given a perfect role model in her and I pray that when my kids and grands open those oh so practical gifts from me that they will somehow remember that they were given out of love. Let the giggles begin...and Merry Christmas!