Dec 29, 2014 3 min read

With the exception of the kids’ break from school, which lasts another week, Christmas is over. It was a lovely, fairly relaxed week that contained only a couple of minor bumps.

At a party earlier in the week, I received a very touching gift. At the home of lifelong friends, I was gifted a shadow box divided grid-style into 12 compartments. Each compartment is tiny, no more than two inches square. The miniature items glued inside included a cat, a rolling pin, a chicken and a bolt of fabric. In some way, each item my friend chose described some element of my life or personality.

For Christmas Eve, we went to church as a family and spent an hour singing and praising God for all the gifts and blessings he gave to us all year. We prayed for those less fortunate to have peace and love surrounding them, and we enjoyed the company of our church family.

Christmas morning was amazing. The hubby and I decided not to buy the kids a bunch of little items simply for the momentary excitement of having tons to unwrap, but instead to buy each of the kids one larger item they would enjoy for a long time, if not forever.

By 6 a.m., our youngest was up. We were able to hold him off until 6:30, but, by then, he woke up his sisters. As our tradition states, they started with their stockings. But soon enough, they were ready to see what the large boxes held.

Our son got an electric train starter kit, the middle girl a nice compound bow with arrows and the oldest received a new laptop. We rounded out the tree with a small selection of DVDs and much-needed items, like socks, alarm clocks and toothbrushes. I’ve got to say, they were just as excited this Christmas as in years past when there were 20 little presents under there.

They even made us breakfast afterward. (I have never tasted such delicious French toast.)

The hubby and I also agreed not to shop for one another this year. We discussed it at length, deciding since we make wise purchases for items we need and want all year, there is absolutely no reason to do extra shopping just for Christmas. That came as some relief to me, as I have a hard time both shopping for him and showing excitement about some of the odd gifts he purchased for me over the years.

Still, I did have one gift under the tree. My son bought me a trophy touting my status as “All-Star Mom,” which nearly brought me to tears. He had emptied his bedroom bank – money he earned through extra homework practice and studying – to shop for each member of our family without us knowing. That knowledge was just as special as the actual trophy.

All in all, despite some high emotions at various points in the week, Christmas showed me yet again how blessed I am to have such a wonderful family. Some are family by blood, and some are family by choice, but my family is the most amazing gift I could ever have been given. Praise God.

Laura Zoeller can be reached at zoeller5@verizon.net.