Easily Excitable

This is going to be a short post, because I am currently hurtling down the interstate, and Trey is driving. 

I’m currently looking at my computer screen to avoid looking at his speedometer. 

I cannot see my keyboard because there is no light on said keyboard. I’m just hoping my Mavis Beacon training sticks. 

Please pray. 

That being said, I want to tell you something I’m daily grateful for, but something that really comes to the forefront during Christmas, 

As a young adult, what I remember about Christmas is this: 

Caroline, Walker, and I would come out of our rooms, and the standing rule was that we had to wake Momma and Daddy up before we went into the living room. 

Momma would go and get the camera, and Daddy would walk into the den, and comment that Santa hadn’t come. 

Though there were never three children more deserving of coal, we were lucky enough to all have an abundant Christmas every year. 

Momma would then put the sausage cream cheese rolls into the oven, and we’d eat, play with gifts, and give Momma and Daddy our $3 Elf Shop gifts. 

Following this was an extended family palooza. 

First stop was Gran and Pa’s for Christmas day activities.. 

We’d play with cousins all afternoon, exhaust ourselves, and would surely be a fine sight to see by the evening. 

The following day and week thereafter, we spent time out at Grandmama and Grandaddy’s with the Meadows family. 

There was much food and lots of Crack the Egg played on the trampoline. 

There are some gifts I remembered

Specifically, there was a year when I got all Lord of the Rings– themed gifts. Surely, that had to be the easiest year for shopping for Momma. 

How thrilled she must have been when her ten year old wrote her whole Christmas list in the Elven language. 

The things parents do for their kids. 

But really, what I value about those years was all of the family time we had. I do miss the days when we were all together. 

Dumb as it sounds, the love is what sticks. 

I remember those Christmases as ones where Momma and Daddy were off work, and we were all together. Yes, the fussing and more than a few fist fights were there, too, but that’s just the price you pay to play. 

The aforementioned scuffles also added a little panache to the memories. 

I never knew until I started teaching just how blessed I was to grow up in the Meadows house. 

It was a place with security, predictability, more than a little grace, and so much love. 

So, if you’re a parent prepping for Christmas- 

Maybe you’re worrying about the gifts, the schedules, and the experiences. I can imagine that would be stressful. 

I just want to remind you that the memories that stick have nothing to do with price tags, and everything to do with something more expensive: quality time. 

Your kids- yes, even the teenagers- crave your attention and your affection. I’ve spent enough time around teens to know that there is a stark difference between a kid that’s well-loved by their parents and one who doesn’t get that attention and effort at home. 

(Because, let’s be honest here: it takes a little effort to love on the teens sometimes.) 

A house with a lot of love trumps a house with a lot of stuff. 

If I learned nothing else from my parents, it’s that. 

We hurt for nothing as kids, but the one thing I treasure most is the love (and, again, the grace!) that was heaped on me.

My hope is that, one day, Trey Dale Earnhardt Kotara and I can provide that for our kids, too. 

(To his credit, he’s driven slower this trip. I appreciate the intercession of the saints.)