the most wonderful time of the year

Never in my life have I been so ready for the holidays. Growing up, I always watched Hallmark and Lifetime movies with my Mama and saw where families would get so excited when loved ones would come home after being away and I just never quite understood it because all of my family was always together anyway. 

This year, though, I do understand it for two reasons. The first one is, I have been away. Even though I go home pretty much every weekend, I am still away a lot of the time and miss out on most of the day to day activities at home. I am so excited to go home and fellowship with all of my family and to truly appreciate each other and not have to worry about leaving again for a while. I am excited to decorate the house with all of the Christmas trees and garland. I am ready to wake up next to Clay and snuggle in every day, to stay up until midnight catching up with my Mama as we stand in opposite sides of the kitchen. I am ready to just be home in my bed every night. I can't wait to have a homecoming similar to the ones on all of the movies I have always watched growing up! 

Second, this year, my family experienced loss like never before with the death of my Aunt Lisa. I know for me and I think for the rest of them, the holidays and time together will mean something more than years prior because we have learned how important today is. We are all only guaranteed the second that we are in right now. Tomorrow may literally never come. The time spent together on the holidays should be the happiest of all times and while I know that this year will be hard because it will be the first without her, I hope that we can truly cherish each other for we never know who may leave us between this year and next.. 

Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, etc are truly the most wonderful time of the year. Fellowship with family and friends is something that goes unmatched in matters of the heart and will forever be cherished in this heart of mine.