Merriest Christmas to you.
I can’t begin to tell you how much you have enriched my life over the years. I feel like I have friends all ove the world because you have listened to my stories and told me your own stories in return.
Thank you for being a special and important part of the Smithellaneous family.
Love to you–from Steve and Sarah and me.
(And if you get a spare moment, let us know what your favorite Christmas gift was–either this year, or from past years.)
Merry Christmas to the Smiths from lower Alabama! Our gift to ourselves and our kids and their families was a trip to Disney World in the middle of December. We had the best time together, and my daughter had one of our family photos from there blown up and framed for me for Christmas! Great memories and a great gift. Everyone, including my in-laws from Washington State, was here for the long Christmas weekend, and we all had so much fun together. Having everyone together is always my favorite gift, and we got to do that twice in one month! I wish you all a very blessed 2017!
Gayle,
Twice in one month is definitely double-blessed. So glad you had such a great time together and getting a blown up copy of a favorite photo is icing on the cake!
A very Merry Christmas (belated) to all of you too! My best gift this year was being able to go home to Colorado and be with my dad and ‘mom’ and collect hugs from them. It was a very low-key and quiet holiday (due to mom’s declining health) but oh, so special just the same. Sweet times, sweet memories.
LeeAnne,
Memories like that, when you know there may not be many more opportunities to make them, are the most precious of all. So glad you were able to be with the people you love.
I too have bee a reader since the very beginning. Following Sarah thorough her treatments and transplant, watching your children grow up and now your.grandchildren. I can not wait to see what the next year brings for all. Happy New Year.
Catherine,
I don’t know think I’ve seen your name pop up before–or maybe just rarely. I’m always so happy to hear from a long time reader who I don’t hear from very often. Thank you for taking the time to comment! 🙂
I am late to the party as usual! Caught a Christmas cold that I am slowly recovering from. I love our snow here and my cats have settled in well, even braving the -24 degree weather to use the litter box outside in the garage. I am enjoying my new home and life here.
Cindy,
I am so glad to hear you are enjoying Minnesota, even with the cold weather. And I’m also proud of your cats for making the adjustment! 🙂
Great to hear from you.
A belated Merry Christmas to you and your family! This year my favorite gift was a 10 month old kitten that we got 2 and a half weeks ago. We lost our 15 year old german shepherd and 3 year old cat in less than a week the end of June. Our house felt sooo empty! Our new kitty, Whisper, is such a good, sweet and sociable little guy with a soft, sweet voice, hence the name, Whisper. He also has the cutest face and expressions!
Kari,
Love that you got a cat and love that you named him Whisper! So happy that your home is blessed by an animal once more. They are the best.
Merry Christmas to the Smith family!! Our Christmas was great. The best gift was having us all together, including my daughter from Florida, we live in NY. Liking my new laptop too
Michele
A new laptop is a wonderful thing. Enjoy!
Merry Christmas to you. The first favorite gift I think of is an odd one. The Christmas before I got married my fiance gave me a bottle of cayenne pepper (I love it on so many foods). It was a gift that was truely something I loved.
Patti,
Isn’t it funny how odd and relatively small gifts are the ones that tend to stick in our minds? That gift meant your fiance took the time to know your likes and dislikes and bought a gift accordingly. Thoughtful guy!
CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS TO YOU, TOO!
It would be hard to decided on a favorite gift. But, I always enjoyed getting ornaments from my students, and thinking of them every year when I decorated my tree. I haven’t put up my “real” tree in a couple of years, so I miss that part. not wanting to be bah-humbug, I now have a couple of table top trees that make me smile.
Mrs. Pam,
As long as you find something to make you smile at Christmas (even though it isn’t the old “something”) that’s the most important thing.
I can only imagine all the memories contained in all those ornaments even though they may not always get put up. What a treasure!
Merry Christmas!
Jessica,
And to you! 🙂
A blessed Christmas to you too. Have so enjoyed your ministry and then in these past years, your travel through life with Sarah and family My favorite gift as a child was a buggy my uncle had made. In fact he made one for my sister too. We got new dolls to go with those buggys.
Sharyn,
A hand crafted doll buggy? I can certainly see why a gift that would wonderful would stick in your mind through the years. I imagine you and your sister were over the moon!
For me, none of the material Hanukkah gifts I received were the favorites! Just the fact I was able to speak to and wish the people I love the most a Happy Holiday was the best & always is that most favorite gift even more so since losing my brother in October, 2012! Hope the Smith & Campbell Family had an amazing holiday! Wishing everyone a Happy, HEALTHY (VERY) New Year!
Jodi,
You’re so right. Getting to talk with people we love at this time of year is a gift like no other. And since you have lost someone so close to you, I know that it means even more to you to share your love with the people who are still here. Happy New Year to you too.
Merry Christmas??
My favorite gift is a purse my MIL made!! I love it!! And we got a new microwave. We hadnt had one in a couple yrs cause I wanted to teach my kid s how to cook without one. Now that they have we got another one finally!! Have a happy New Year!!
Catherine,
You must have a talented MIL to make a purse. Wow!
And you survived without a microwave for a couple of years? I honestly don’t think I could do it. But kudos to you for teaching your kids how to cook without one. I am impressed!
Merry Christmas to the Smith family and their extended family. I have been one of your readers since the very beginning and feel blessed to know your family (although we’ve never met).
My favorite Christmas gift for the past nine years has been celebrating with my brother (who was diagnosed with and had surgery for pancreatic cancer almost 10 years ago) and his family. Unfortunately, he is currently being treated (monthly chemo injections) for tumors on his liver, but is very upbeat and living every day to the fullest. Christmas hugs to all of you!
Linda in Pittsburgh
Linda,
That is truly a special gift to get to still have your brother in your life after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. I love that he stays upbeat even while being treated for cancer. You are blessed to have him in your life and he is blessed to have YOU!
Merry Christmas to all of you. I have enjoyed your blog since the beginning. Here’s to an even better 2017.
Margie,
Always nice to hear from someone who has been here “since the beginning.”
You early readers are extra special.
Merry Christmas ? to all.
Ann,
And to you and Jim. And happiest New Year!
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones too Becky! Likewise, I feel like I have a beautiful friend in North Carolina. Reading your blog and getting to know you over the years has enriched my life. We haven’t opened our gifts yet, but by far my favourite one this year will be having our first Christmas with our new 20 year old son.
Jenna,
“A first Christmas with our new 20 year old son.” Those words are so beautiful to read and even more beautiful for all of you to LIVE! Congratulations and happiest blessings to your family.