So This Is Christmas

So it has been quite some time since I last wrote. Partially because well...life, but also because the Callahans have been pretty busy enjoying our own version of Happily Ever After. But being Christmas, it’s impossible not to be constantly thinking of how lucky we are, how amazing our family is, and how great this Christmas is for each of us. 

Statistically speaking, things could have been very, very different this year. So now Christmas magic is so much more than looking forward to kids opening their presents. Christmas magic is seeing every interaction our family has and realizing this moment, whether it be a loud party filled with laughter and toys, or quiet moment sitting and chatting while listing to Christmas songs, is our greatest gift. 

Speaking of Christmas songs, they’ve changed too. I’ve always been a lover of all things Christmas. Once Thanksgiving (another forever changed holiday) is over, I’m tuning right in to the Christmas station and singing along. If you’re a follower of this blog, you know the impact music has in our lives, and Christmas music isn’t any different. It started years back when my dad used to drive me to St. Mary’s for school. We would listen to John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas and sing along. Back then we would belt out then words to Please Daddy Don’t Get Drunk This Christmas, which I’m sure made my mother terrified that I would sing it in school. However, a little while ago my Dad mentioned the song A Baby Just Like You...one that I admittedly had forgotten about. 

The season is upon us now

A time for gifts and giving

As the year draws to its close

I think about my living

The Christmastime when I was young

The magic and the wonder

But colors dull and candles dim

And dark my standing under

Oh little (Jackie), shining light

You've set my soul to dreaming

You've given back my joy in life

And filled me with new meaning

Well, as usual, my Dad hit the musical nail right on the head. This Christmas, our little buddy has changed our whole way of living. Sitting around talking about how far we’ve come, sneaking peeks at our buddy and realizing that this year is truly magical given what it could have been, and hearing our sweet boys enjoy their Christmas together are what it is all about. 

We’ve been through so much this year, things both big and small. We’ve had family dealing with health issues, obviously including Jack. But having lived through what we did, it makes your realize how little the things that used to seem big are actually trivial. Since Jack’s battle we’ve had an actual hole in the roof, our house flood from upstairs straight to the basement, and subsequently have no kitchen ceiling. Normally, this would have rocked our world. Now, I could laugh at the thought of stressing over these silly things. We have Jack. We have each other. We can do anything as long as we’re together. 

As we celebrate the season and the end to this year, many would assume we couldn’t wait for it to end and to say good riddance to 2019. However, as bad as it was, it was equally good. This was the year where our family bond was strengthened beyond belief. From Amy moving home to save the day to our amazing parents, we created a team that no one can beat. Seriously, we’d made the Dream Team look like the Bad News Bears. Because the strength of family is stronger than any enemy. This year was also the year where we were able to truly understand the importance of kindness and helping each other. So many people came to our side and continue to think, pray, and act in a way that surrounds our family with love. Believe me when I say we can feel it and appreciate it more than anyone could ever comprehend. Now we are working to give back in as many ways as possible. Our family has enjoyed this part of Christmas so much and can’t wait to see what ways of giving we can come up with next. 

So as the the holidays craziness continues, something that would having given me incredible anxiety in the past, I am so happy to say that I am at peace. When there were countless toys in pieces decorating the floor, Dan turned to me and ask if this was making me crazy.  I happily replied not at all. Because every moment whether it be crazy and chaotic or quiet and calm, is one that we are lucky to have ...together. And that is the greatest gift a gal could ever ask for🧡