It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I am always excited to jump into the Christmas season. It is by far my favorite. I get to spend quality time with my family and friends and just enjoy each other's company. It's also always been a special time for myself as I've always been reminded of Christ. Most are saying, well of course, but that's not what I mean.

Every year, as long as I could remember, I went to "Sunday" school. For those of you who don't know, its a bit different in the Catholic church. It starts on Sunday mornings...then moves to Wednesday nights and finally up until we're confirmed, we attend regular classes to learn about our faith. (Of course I'm not sure if this is the same schedule they use or not). THere is one class in particular that I will never forget. Glenn Schwizer was my teacher for one particular class. I can't remember my age, I can't remember who was there, but I do remember what he said. He asked us to think about Christmas and spending time with our families. He asked us to remember how it feels. He described it as the "pink fuzzies." I knew exactly what he was talking about too. Its hard to describe unless you've felt it, but he said, "That's Jesus Christ." Ever since then, I've always looked forward to the "pink fuzzies." And as traditions that I've held on to so tightly change year to year, its the one thing I know I can always count on.

So I look forward to the Christmas I share with my husband, with my parents and sisters, with his parents and family. To the unwrapping and seeing the joy in everyone's faces, the yummy Christmas breakfast Mom makes, sitting in our pjs unwrapping gifts at dawn, watching "A Christmas Story," over and over on Christmas Eve, just to fall asleep to it with the little bit of belief that maybe Santa will come by. (yes I'm still very much a kid at heart). The decorations, even the extreme tacky ones, the cookies, the hot chocolate, the occasional snow :), the cold Eve night as we head into Mass to see a packed church, the eggnog and bourbon and gingers, the Elvis Christmas music. I may miss the waiting at the top of the steps to see what Santa brought, taking turns opening gifts, sharing gifts with cousins, spending two straight days with my extended family and enjoying it. But after all that....its not Christmas until I feel the "pink fuzzies."