Christmas Traditions

For me, it was my mom sitting in her recliner —
buried in ornaments,
calm and composed —
gently fastening new hooks and handing one to each of us to place on the tree.

She always let us choose where they went.
But somehow, she was still quietly steering the ship.

To this day, the Christmas tree is my favorite tradition.
Decorating it.
Sugar cookies dusted in flour and laughter.
Cousins filling the house — once loud, now just a memory.

Christmas looks different now.
Quieter. Smaller.
A more civilized dinner on Christmas Eve,
followed by church — the children’s service —
watching the wonder on their faces as they wait for morning.

And every Christmas Eve, I read ’Twas the Night Before Christmas to my kids.
The same words.
Every year.

Watching their excitement,
knowing that someday,
this will be one of the stories they carry.

Yours Truly,

Princess George