Christmas has always been a big deal with our family, and we have created many traditions throughout the years.
I am one of those insane people who actually collects Hallmark ornaments for every occasion, and decorates the house after Thanksgiving dinner.
The first Christmas my Husband was MIA, I had absolutely no desire to drag out the Christmas stuff. I just didn't want to deal with it.
But for the sake of the children, I knew I had to do something.
While they were at school, I picked up a tree and set it up in a different room rather then the formal living room. When the kids got home from school they made their own decorations and created such a beautiful tree. We now have two trees each year, a small one for the children and the larger one for the family stuff.
On Christmas Eve, I loaded all of the kids into the van, and we saw a movie at the 10PM showing. We had never done anything like that before and it was really fun. By the time we got back home it was after midnight.
We have continued to do the movie thing for the past few years now, and it has become a new tradition. It also helps to have them really tired so they are not getting up at 5am Christmas morning.
We also began drawing names after Thanksgiving dinner. Christmas presents were pretty much out of the question when my Husband left, as there was no money for extras. Each of the kids picked out a name from the hat, and secretly made each other a gift. They really loved this idea, and have continied this tradition.
It is amazing how creative they have become, from knitting a scarf, to taking a photo and making their own frame to put it in.
I do believe that we have to put our misery and grief aside as best we can during this time of year, especially if there are children involved. Consider it a Christmas present to yourself.
There can be no testimony without a test. I am praying to go through this test and come out the other end with a new and better marriage then before.
