My life - from the impact of great loss, to a refreshing new take on life and a place where I now share ............... my favorite Plant Strong recipes....

Monday, November 26, 2007

Tis the Season

We had an absolutely wonderful Thanksgiving. This year, the family decided to change things up a bit and we gathered with friends and put together a large dinner at our church, about 7 turkeys & 2 hams worth. The big kitchen was full of giggles which made the hard work seem like play. Keeping busy kept Jeff and me from pondering too much over Chelsea’s absence. Being surrounded with loved ones made the day sweeter than the sweet potatoes that were covered with brown sugar and marshmallows.

But now I see signs of Christmas everywhere. For a while, I was having a really hard time with the upcoming holiday - though my soul is constantly reminded that Christmas isn’t about me. Yes, there are many traditions that we shared with our girl, and it’s going to be different and difficult. I’m not even going to attempt looking at our ornaments - too many have her name on them or were made by her. But I am going to focus on what Christmas is all about: Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.

With that, I can let go of the emotional fears, the pain. I can celebrate - for because of Jesus, I will be reunited with my daughter someday. This hope brings peace.

And Kati girl brings JOY. Much joy. She is the perfect age to get excited about Christmas, and I find myself getting excited with her. She wants a tree. She’ll love the lights daddy puts up. I look forward to the new memories that we will be making, and I am so thankful for my precious gift of a daughter. Things would be so lonely right now without her.

I love the crisp air and the sounds of Christmas - to drive down the streets and see the lights already. Even something as simple as decorating my MySpace page helped me to realize just how much I love Christmas - no matter what I’m going through.

So I will remember that Christmas wasn’t established to celebrate us and all that we desire, and the hustle and bustle of it all, though that is what it has become in our culture. Rather, it is to celebrate the simple and humble message of Christ, and a thankfulness for all that I have been given because of Him.

Keeping Christmas simple, and appreciating it more than ever.
I am blessed.


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5 comments:

Lori said...

We too shared Thanksgiving with friends and it was busy and crazy and wonderful. I'm trying desperately to be thankful for the time I had with my darling girl rather than the time we'll spend apart. An attitude of gratitude, that's what I'll be wearing this holiday season. Because you're right, thanks to God's sacrificial love, we will see our girls again. And this lifetime is just a sliver compared to the eternity we will share together again.

Thanks for sharing the sweet picture of your girls. I'm so thankful that you have the hope that only Christ can bring. And I pray He will sustain you during the highs and lows that this holiday season can bring.

Anonymous said...

I'll be praying for you extra hard as the Holidays approach. Memories are funny...they bring smiles but also tears. But memories are precious, and I'm thankful for all the memories you have of Chelsea. I have to say, you are so right. It's sad how Christmas is becoming about presents and all that, wherein reality it is about Jesus, about God's gift of Jesus Christ to the world. I'm holding on with you to the hope of Heaven, of being with Jesus, Chelsea, Lexie, Lillian, and all those others we all miss so much. I'm so thankful to be able to rest in the knowledge that Kati is there with you, constantly giving you joy. She's such a joy and blessing. I know, I've said that thousands of times, but it's so very true. I always have a big huge smile on my face whenever I see her. Yesterday, when I found out I couldn't go to church in the morning, honestly one of my first thoughts was "I won't be able to see Kati". Honestly. But, I was blessed by seeing her last night at the concert. Such a sweetie pie she is.
I think I'm just rambling on now, I don't know if what I've been saying makes much sense, but I hope you know what I mean. One more thing before I go...lately I've been pondering on Psalm 139...such an awesome passage that is. I just think it's so cool that Jesus knows everything, every single thing there is to know about us. I find it so sweet that it says if we were to count His thoughts toward us, they would be more in number than the sand. More than just thinking about us, He understands. Understands our every smile, every tear, everything. I don't know, I've just been really thinking on that and thought I'd share with you...know that Jesus understands all that you feel, and goes through it with you this Holiday Season and always.
I love you with all my heart! Em

Anonymous said...

I love you! Jen

Anonymous said...

Love your attitude Celeste! We have to keep reminding ourselves the reason we celebrate CHRISTmas and forget about what society has made it. May you have a blessed time celebrating the birth of our Lord.

Anonymous said...

Hi Celeste,
I just wanted to let you know that I love you so much and have been thinking about you and praying for you every day.
~Emily