Violet's First Christmas

As the rest of the world was bringing boxes out of the attic and tenderly unpacking their ornaments, stockings, and other treasures that are only seen once a year, we were packing our home into boxes. It was ironic, seeing everyone proudly display photos of their tree or their mantle festooned with greenery and lights. We literally had nothing left in our house. It was in this way, along with others, that this Christmas was different.

Ben graduated flight school on December 19 and we left Fort Rucker for good that same day. We decided to stay in a cabin at David Crockett State Park for a few days, including Christmas day. This is another way Christmas was different. It was the first year I've spent Christmas Eve night away from my mom and dad's house. The first Christmas day that I woke up somewhere else. I'd be lying if I said it didn't sadden me, but I know that I must sacrifice things in order to build a foundation of traditions for Violet. My childhood is now over and it's her turn.

Even though we were only in the cabin for four days, we decided to put a tree up. Otherwise Violet's first Christmas morning would be sans tree and we just couldn't have that. All of our stuff was packed up and on a truck somewhere between Alabama and Washington, but I did withhold our box of ornaments to put on the tree. I knew we could buy more, but I wanted our ornaments.

It grew apparent on Christmas Eve that Violet was getting sick. It was the first time she had been sick and it was bad timing, but she's a real trooper. She was snotty by day and congested (very, very congested) by night, but that didn't stop her from being in high spirits. She still tried to help with wrapping and wrangled all of the bows from her gifts under the tree any time she had the chance.

Throughout the month of December Ben and I inadvertently customized what seemed like every Christmas song to feature Violet. It's been difficult to stop singing them to her now that Christmas is over. Next year. Some of the good ones included:

"I want a Violetpotamus for Christmas, only a Violetpotamus will do..."
"Violet night, it's a long night, all is calm, not for long..."
"Jingle bells, Violet smells, she laid a brown egg..."

Santa brought a tea set and a stocking full of goodies. Gifts from family and friends included a jump-up, a walker, books, stacking rings, chatter phone, blocks, Disney movies, glow worm, baby doll, wooden musical instruments, and lots of much needed clothing.

Thinking about my own memories of Christmas, I think Christmas Eve and morning are the most pure form of excitement I've ever felt. At least as a child. My older sister and I would make cookies on Christmas Eve and I was always the kid that got up obnoxiously early Christmas morning. Even when my sister was too old for Santa and no longer believed, she never spoiled the fun for me. I've been thinking recently how grateful I am for that. Some parents are choosing to forgo Santa these days. While I can understand their reasoning, I think of my sister when I say that I've decided not to take that magic from Violet. Every child deserves to feel what I felt. The magic of childhood is fleeting and I don't intend to diminish it more than the world already does.