My little one just had her first "real" Thanksgiving last night. We had an amazing spread and were with some truly amazing people!!! While sitting there at the a rather long table, I looked all around at all the families that were there sharing with the great shift at the firestation. It's not the first time that we've been to the station for a dinner but this year was a tad different.
There is one of the family that will be leaving us soon, new members coming on board, the littles are getting bigger, smarter and funnier. Little does my mini understand how important these gatherings are. True to form, as soon as we got there, the entire station was pulled on a call. We watched all our boys hope into action and the littles watched the trucks light up and drive off. Some were thinking it was cool. A couple didn't want their dads to go. Mine, she watched her uncle go.
I'm realizing that as each year goes by and my mini is growing into the "too smart for her own good" way, I am wanting to try and have as much of the tradition that most families have. It's kind of hard when you don't exactly have all the means necessary, but it's great that I do have some pretty special people in our lives that are willing to help me out a bit and also help contribute to our ever changing tradition of being family. My tiny love bug is almost 3 but this was the first Thanksgiving where she had a pretty good idea of what was going on, sitting with family and being around a lot of love. Every year will always be different. I'm working on adding a little something with the norm to always make it special.
Driving around the day after Thanksgiving at night and seeing some of the Christmas lights that are up was fun. It's funny, she says that Christmas is her favorite, yet she truly has no idea just how much fun it really is. Last year, she was scared to open any of her gifts!! She thought we had lost out minds wanting her to make such a mess of the wrapping paper and packages that everything came in. I know that this year, she's going to make such a mess....and I will be very happy to clean it up!! She is one lucky kid. My little has so many people that love her and just that makes for celebrating anything that more special. I can't wait to have her wake up and see what I've gotten her, I know one set of grandparents are going to be pulling her in the house for the few bits they'll give her and then off to her favorite aunt and uncle's house to see her best friend/sister and make an even bigger mess!!!!
I find it very interesting how my perception of the holidays keeps changing as she gets older. If only I had my mom her to see and be apart of the memory making. The good thing is that she is definitely not short on family! As the tiny one grows and changes in her personality and her likes and dislikes, I'm seeing that she is a big holiday person. She loves to see all the decorations and it has actually inspired me to want to decorate our home. I never really cared to do that and haven't in so long. I am actually starting from zero and building. With her. So that when the time comes, I'll be able to gift her with the wonderful traditions that we have created.
The end of the year is not only the end and the start of renewal, but it's also a good time to take things a bit slower. Every year I hear the same thing, "I can't believe how quick this year has gone by". It's true. Right now we have gotten through one of 3 holidays before the year starts all over again. Normally, I'm very quick to end the year and move on to the next. The past couple of years though, I really want them to slow down. Time is racing by faster than I want that sometimes I feel that I can't keep up. I'm sure a lot of us feel that way!!!
Take a moment. Not just now during the end of the year, but as often as you can. Time races by faster than we want, change is always upon us and we are never prepared for what life throws our way. Take a moment. Breath and slow down and truly enjoy the company of not just your loved ones but those who add to your life and the life of those around you. You are never guaranteed the whole day or even a whole hour. Live, cherish, love, and slow down.
