My Christmas Wish

Today's posts will be multiple, whenever I can find the time in between studying for my comprehensive finals tomorrow-two of them-yuck! Anyhow, along with them, there's much on my mind and I have a lot to say....so here's post #1 for tdoay, December 13th, 2004:
This is originally a post from the Trisha Yearwood Webboard, it's a great spot that I've been posting on and haning out at for almost two years now! I love that board, it's great fun and I've made many, many wonderful friends there! They're awesome people; Melanie S., Mealnie Jr., Debbie, Tammy, David, Kathy and all the rest of the gang ROCKS!!! They are great people, great friends and give me inspiration and support!

KUDOS TO YOU ALL at the TY BOARD!!!

Anyhow...the post was "IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE WISH FOR CHRISTMAS, What would it be?" and was originally posted by Kathy Breen...and here is my response:

"I want my mother to be happy and healthy and lower her stress. She's SO stressed lately with the bills and last night broke down crying because she said she can't afford to buy me or anyone else anything for my birthday or Christmas-we'll just be going to dinner for my birthday.....I felt so bad for her, I told her that Christmas, and my bday, are NOT about presents or gifts. It's about love ones, good times and counting your blessings. She said she was a bad mom because "I can't do anything for you for your 21st birthday and it should be special..." I said "mom, don't worry. It's really okay. I am so blessed, and so are you." I reminded her that we have a nice home, enough food to eat, clothes, a bed to get into at night, a running car (got it fixed last week) and most of all, we have eachother. I told her that putting up Christmas decorations (we did that week) was enough and that really, I don't need anything. I have SOOO much stuff as it is. It just broke my heart to see her like that, because she's such a wonderful, sweet and generous person. She's a great mom, and an awesome person, the hardest working person I've ever known-really. Now that I'm older, I truly appreacite how hard she does/did work to give me the best life possible, but also, I realize that Christmas and my birthday are so NOT about gifts and presents. For me, it's really about being near the ones I love, knowing them and myself are all healthy and alive and well. And, for me, being that I started out my life so ungodly sick and not expected to make it to five years old, the fact that I'm (and my mom) are both here, 21 years later, alive, sane and well.....that's gift enough in itself. It just really ticks me off that Christmas is so damn freakin' commercialized.....a good mother is not one who loads her kids up with xmas gifts and birthday presents and goes broke in the process of doing it; a good mother is someone who loves their kids, gives them attention, praise, hope, lessons, fun and health. A mother is somone who loves her kids no matter what and sets an example of what the child should be; teaches them right from wrong, encourages them when everyone else in the world has turned their back on them and provides the neccesities (food, clothes, shelter) for the child. And my mom has done ALL of that and more....so my Christmas wish this year is not for presents or material things, it's for my mother, my amazing, wonderful, hard-working, generous, caring, compassiontate, aweosme mother. My greatest wish is that she realizes what a great person and mom she is, lets go of senseless guilt and gets the new job she just applied for so she won't be dead ass broke all the time. I want her to be happy, healthy and content. That's my Christmas wish. Please pray for my mom. Thank you."

Here's Tammy's responses, she responded twice, to both of my posts! Thanks Tammy, you're so sweet and I really appreciate it!

Sarah, I responded to your other post, and want you to know that I'm praying for you and your mom! As a mom, I can understand her stress, as I'm sure so many here can. But I have to say, she should be Very Proud of YOU! Remind her that she isn't a bad mom, look how she's raised you, you seem to have a great head on your shoulders, with great, strong morals, and values that truly matter! To have done that, she must indeed be a remarkable woman! You are so right, the holiday season is not about money, or those kind of gifts, it truly is about Family, being together and sharing memories that last, traditions to carry over-such as decorating together, being Together... and encourage us in so many things/way...that those blessings are truly the best gift ever, and the one that will be remembered always...

Sarah, I'm sorry to hear that your mom is struggling so. Stress can definately be hard on us, and bad for our health...I'm sorry that she is so stressed and moving at what seems to be warp speed. I will definately keep you and her in my prayers! You are a great person, and I'm sure your mom knows you are there for her, and that is one of the best things you can give her. Good Luck on your finals! Take care of You!

Happy Holidays & Many Blessings to you all,
-SL

P.S. Here's what Kathy wrote in response to my post: "My greatest wish is that she realizes what a great person and mom she is" My wish Sarah, is that your mom realizes what a beautiful daughter she has. Your mom has given herself the greatest gift. You are the product of all her hard work. Her biggest job in life has been raising you. I applaud her for doing an awesome job. Love ya, Kathy