The most memorable times I hold dearest to my heart is when my mothers family: aunts, uncles and cousins included, would come to our home for Christmas to share in the holiday festivities. After catching up on what had been happening with everyone since we last were together, sleeping arrangements were made. I shared my room with my sister and cousins until we were sent to separate rooms because we were talking and laughing too loud.

We were too excited to sleep, after all Santa was coming that night. In separate rooms we would try to go to sleep but again, we were too excited. We knew that if we met in the hallway we might get a glimpse of Santa putting presents under the tree. We would all sneak into the hallway and lay there on the floor, whispering and watching for that man in the red suit. Eventually we would get caught once more and sent back to bed. We tried to do this as many times as possible but eventually became so tired that we fell asleep either in our beds or on the hallway floor.

When we woke early Christmas morning, (a bit saddened that we didn't see Santa in the act again), the joy of what was left under the tree soon occupied our every thought. After unwrapping our presents we would go outside to play in the snow. Building snowmen and forts, riding the sled down the hill near the house and getting so cold we couldn't feel our fingers. We would hurry back into the house, Cold and sometimes wet from making snow angles, put on dry clothes and get some hot chocolate and cookies to warm us up.

Now that we have all grown older and living in various parts of the country, my mothers family doesn't get the opportunity to gather together to share this blessed season. That is why I hold these memories as some of the fondest memories dearest to my heart and they become more precious every year we are unable to share this wonderful time together.

Sure we connect by phone or cam but it's not he same as being there all snuggled together.

Sandra Crabtree