As prime Christmas stress-time seems to be approaching, I am reminding myself of the advice I would share with my daughter when she is an adult. It’s helpful writing this out so that it will help me get through it, just as it’s important to share these words with her one day.

Dear Charlotte,

Christmas is a very magical time of year! You get to sing Christmas carols, eat yummy foods, bake Christmas cookies, and share this magical time with your family. But, there are also hard times you have to go through this time of year. Sad things can happen, or we may not be able to celebrate with someone in the family because they are no longer with us, or someone in the family may make you feel sad by something they say to you.

My mom always tells me that she wishes her wealth of knowledge that comes from going through life can just be passed along instantly to her children because it would make those hard and sad times easier to get through. With all my heart, I wish those exact same things from me to you…but you still have your own life to experience these things, so I have my own words of wisdom to pass along to you.

When you have your own family, you will be pulled in many different directions on what to do around Christmastime. Since you spent your childhood with Mommy and Daddy’s families, now that you are an adult you will start spending Christmastime with your children, your significant other’s family, and your own family…which will seem like a lot! Of course your dad and I hope to see you lots around the holidays, but you simply need to coordinate what is comfortable for your family. Don’t do too much.

It is harder to get through this time of year if sad things weigh you down, so you need to focus on what makes you happy. Right now, you make me happy. You are such a happy, healthy, beautiful little girl! Watching you laugh at Daddy when he puts on a Santa hat is the moment I want to live in this holiday season; leaving all past year stresses and sadness behind.

I wish that for many years we have wonderful Christmastimes together…full of laughter, baking cookies, sharing traditions, and so much more. 

I love you very much,
Mommy