Tis the season where the madness of family, work, holiday shopping, and holiday parties all come together, and you begin to question your sanity. It is the season where you begin to evaluate all your friends and determine if you like them enough to fork out the money to buy them a Christmas present, at least that is what I do (I know I am a terrible person). As much as I love the Christmas season and the festivities, it can be a little stressful and a little overwhelming with all the present buying, parties, family gathers and somehow managing to squeeze in grocery shopping and laundry in the mix of it all, but it can be a time of great joy. It is also the time of year where I like to reflect on what makes this season special for me. Of course, it could always be the tree, decorations, presents, time with family or going to go look at Christmas lights, to name a few thing. But there was always something I loved doing this time of year more than anything else; it was the story that was read on Christmas Eve.
When I was very little, my mother use to read “The Night before Christmas” on Christmas Eve every year in preparation for Santa. We would unwrap the one present from under the tree, get into my pajamas, climb into bed, get tucked in all cozy and warm, then my mother would go over to the bookshelf and pull out “The Night before Christmas”. Even though it was the same thing every year, I always looked forward to this part of the night. My mother would sit at the edge of my bed, facing me, then in a soft, warm voice she began… “Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house…” As I laid there under the blankets, snuggling up to my stuffed bunny named Bunny, I became enchanted by the story and my mother’s voice. Her voice was the warmth of a good hug, the softness of a candle light, and the love of something you cherish the most, all rolled into one. As the story progressed, her voice would change with certain characters, and at different moments but it still had the warmth throughout the entire story. As I drifted off into sleep, she continued to read. I think there was only one moment where I was awake till the end, which then I asked for her to read it again, and with a smile on her face she did. Looking back I couldn’t tell if it was her voice, the story telling, or the story itself that made me feel so safe and loved but it is a memory I will never forget.
My mother was always one who put an importance on reading and knew the impact of a book or a story could have on a person, which is why she proceeded to read to me most nights when I was little. The importance of reading still sits with me today as I read various books from all genres and titles, and how that such a small thing can make such an impact on my life. I don’t think I would have liked or known my fondness for books if it wasn’t for my mother and the amazing story teller she was. It is always this time of year that my mind drifts back to her and how much she loved Christmas. It was her season, and on December 1 every year I would be awoken to the sound of Johnny Mathis singing “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…” ringing throughout the house. It was annoying but looking back it is something I miss terribly. All my Christmas traditions are wrapped in her, and it is my responsibility to make sure those traditions live on to when I have a family of my own.
So if you feel like starting a Christmas story tradition this year with the ones you love, here are a few suggestions:
- The Night Before Christmas
- How the Grinch Stole Christmas
- The Polar Express
- A Christmas Carol
- The Nutcracker
I am going to try to convince my roommates to indulge me and let me read “ The Night Before Christmas” to them, but we are grow women so it may be a little silly or difficult to get us all home. But I know I will be reading it at least, even if I will be by myself, all curled up in my bed, I can look back on those nights with my mom with fondness and joy.
I hope you have a wonderful holiday season! Merry Christmas from the Comfy Chair in the Corner!! I am very thankful for those who read and follow this blog, even with my inconstancy. I have been reading so more posts to come in the near future, I promise!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!
Love,
Kaitlin xoxo
Disclaimer: My mother passed away 11 years ago to cancer, which is why I talk about her in the past tense. She was my best friend and my role model, I love and miss her every day. She may not be here physically but she still impacts my life on a daily basis.
A Comfy Chair in the Corner 