Does Christmas lose its magic as we get older, or do we just start finding it in different places?
When I was little, I had plenty of reasons to count down to Christmas. Presents were high on the list. I'm not going to rewrite my childhood and tell you I was mostly interested in conversation... Nope. I wanted to know what I was getting, I wanted to see the wrapping, and I wanted to know how soon I could open it. I wasn't comfortable with waiting.
But I also loved having my whole family together. Christmas meant seeing my cousins, playing with them, and knowing there would be a lot going on in that gathering. Christmas felt different from any ordinary family gathering. There were more people and more excitement. And more presents.
I remember seeing the Christmas tree filled with presents all around after watching the fireworks, and everyone had a present to open. And then playing with my cousins was such a big part of it. I had a new toy and my cousins around to join in, which made it even better.
I loved watching the fireworks! They totally added to the excitement. The colors, the lights, the sounds. It all made us feel that something special was happening. And it surely was. Christmas felt like an event that deserved every bit of anticipation I'd given it. I understand early Christmas enthusiasts because, at that age, I would have been right there with them and my wish list.