what does going home for christmas mean?
it was a question posed at church last sunday…thought it was one worth reflecting upon, so i have.

going home means…
making plans for mom’s birthday (just 2 days before christmas).
wrapping gifts for my family.
baking holiday goodies with mom.
going shopping with various members of my family.
going to see granny’s old house and placing new flowers on hers and granddaddy’s grave.
eating holiday goodies at grandma’s (fruitcake cookies, divinity, cheese straws, red velvet cake).
candlelight service at church.
having my family open the gifts i have picked out, purchased, and wrapped for them.
going back-and-forth between mom and dad’s at least 4 times within 24 hours.
helping mom with christmas lunch–organizing, planning, and getting ready.
choosing a gift to give jesus for the coming year.

what going home for christmas means to me this year–being thousands of miles away from family and by myself…
purchasing gifts early–planning on what i think everyone would like, envisioning their response–involving countless send sales from work and multiple trips to the post office.
reflecting on each member of my family and what they mean to me.
missing my family…more than ever.
accepting the fact that it will be hard, knowing that i do not have to be strong (even though i am still trying to be).
wanting my family to have extra special gifts since i won’t be there (like my gifts are somehow substitutes for my presence).
placing more importance on continual relationships with family rather than a one-day or few days of concentrated time.
desiring to talk to my family more.
realizing that relationships are most important.

there is a song i have heard at work countless times throughout the holiday season that contains the line, “christmas just ain’t christmas without the ones you love.”
i would agree.

sharing moments like these are priceless.