It’s the most wonderful time of the year! I had decided not to post at all after Thanksgiving. To just let my thoughts and notes marinate for a while, and get back to the blog in 2015. But then Ben said something about it – like it was too long, or I should blog a holiday message – cant remember what exactly he said, but I think he was right…..
Because last week we saw SANTA CLAUS! And I wanted to point that out. I have a few special mommas who read my blog and their kids are a lot younger than my Nick, and the holidays may not feel so festive.  Perhaps they bring questions or uncertainties, health or emotional crises, party/travel/gift anxieties, or even uncomfortable interactions with well-intentioned family members.

So I just wanted to sum up my special needs holidays in one phrase: SANTA CLAUS FOREVER! I think one of my super extra favorite things about being a special mom is this: Santa Claus comes to my house every Christmas morning. Nicolas is fourteen years old, and this year when he sat with Santa, and nervously discussed toys he wanted, his eyes reflected awe, his heart a-flutter, and his whole being was confident that Santa is real, and he will be visiting our house this year!

So here’s my Christmas advice to ALL the mommas who might read…..enjoy the innocence of your child this holiday season. However much they understand or experience, soak that in and hold it tight. This seems small, I am aware, in the scheme of life. But I don’t want to overlook the wonder of it all. Special mommas don’t have a lot that seems to be in the column of “better than” a typical mom, but this is definitely a WIN for us 🙂 My special child ALWAYS reminds me of the pure joy of Christmas. He reminds me that believing as a small child is the way we are all expected to believe, always. Not in Santa, but in the reason Santa spreads gifts all over the world! I see that played out each year and am so wonderfully reminded of the special gift within. I get teary-eyed every year when I get to re-explain that because it is Jesus’ birthday, a sweet old man in the North Pole gives a gift to every child in the world. And that it is why we give gifts to each other, and to strangers. It’s why we sing songs and have parties. Nicolas definitely “gets” the magic of this season way more than most of us because we’re just too busy. But he always slows me down enough to remember that Joy itself was born on Christmas Day.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ The Lord….Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Now I can take my  small writing break. I will enjoy the holidays – my white Christmas as well as my warm palm tree Christmas. Look for a post again from me in January. Merry Christmas.