I realize I have times where I seem too sad on this blog. I don't use it as an accurate representation of how I am, overall, a happy person. I guess I use writing as my therapy too often. But why not? It works, it's free, it's my outlet.
So, I'll write today of traditions.
Today, once my girls get home from school, we are baking up a storm. Fudge, cookies, chocolate covered everything, sprinkles here and there. In the background will be Christmas music and once we are done and have the treats delivered, we will settle in for our traditional living room camp out with some hot chocolate with marshmallows and Elf.
And I can't wait. I almost wish they had a no-school day so we could start now. I sometimes think I enjoy these nights more than them. I only hope I create enough traditions to both give them something to pass on to their own children one day and to create memories of a happy childhood.
Once I had a family of my own, Christmas became the central focus for creating new traditions. A new ornament every year, writing letters to Santa, leaving cookies out the night before. On Christmas Eve, once the girls were old enough to understand, we'd bake a cake and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus.
So much has changed over the years . . . .
But I still work to create those traditions. Because, to me, that is where the family becomes a closer family: in the shared memories.
I want my girls to look back and remember living room camp-outs, monster S'mores, movie nights, Zombieland and Twinkies.
Being a single mom, full-time college student and part-time employee leaves little money to do things. But in a way, I'm grateful for that because it pushes me to be more creative in our time together. And that creativity has led to some amazing times together.
In a few hours, a new tradition, mixed with some old ones, will be started. And most likely, this will continue. And once the movie is over and we turn on the fake fireplace on Netflix, we'll each share our dreams for the new year.
And once we wake up on Saturday, they'll prepare to leave for their dad's and I'll do some cleaning and work. But I'll be a bit more full of love and memories with four young ladies I cherish more than anything.
I can't always give them the newest shoes or the most expensive nights out. But I give them love and memories and somehow, I hope that evens out.
