Obviously Christmas began as the day of birth of Jesus Christ, a time to rejoice in the birth of a Savior.

Its entire meaning has become more and more tarnished since the 60’s and 70’s.  There was a time that people handcrafted items and put their heart, sometimes their back, their love, and their pride into spending time with family and friends and exchanging something more than a gift.  They exchanged life with each other – life filled with joyous wishes for the day and for the coming years, gave thanks, and celebrated the birth of life. 

As I grew up Christmas was a day that we strung cranberries and popcorn to make garlands for our tree.  We seldom had anything underneath the tree.  If we did it was new socks or panties/shorts, or an orange.  One Christmas when I was five years old, my maternal grandmother sent Mom an order form for Montgomery Wards, with a limit of what she could order, for our Christmas.  I got a doll with eyes that blinked (a prehistoric Barbie of sorts)!  That was the most unbelievable event I ever remember about Christmas.  And I can remember sobbing my heart out when the tree came down.  Another Christmas when I was around 11 I got a tea set.  Those are the only times I ever remember receiving a toy/gift and not something that was a necessity.   I am happy that I had the opportunity to feel the emotion, to share life with my family, and retain those memories because memories are the building blocks for what we are.  And rather than get into the psychology of blaming ones childhood for present behavior, let’s just say that we should learn and move on. Yah, I’m a sick bitch but I don’t think my childhood is the reason.

Today, as I awoke early a.m. to spoil myself with life and lay in bed awhile longer, I had the distinct revelation that Christmas is about life.  It is a day of birth and I want to hold it in my thoughts as exactly that.  A day that I am reborn each year and have the opportunity to retain all of my wonderful memories from year to year, but I start with a fresh spirit and renewed strength because that’s how we begin.  So I begin again on Christmas Day and how I choose to spend the year is up to me – that my friends is one great gift!

Far from the days of a toy doll and a tea set, yet still there in my desire to believe in Santa Claus, I sit with a window to the world through the internet and my computer, which brings me to ‘elfing yourself’.  Please enjoy me, my three sons, and Riot as we do a country jig.

And five of my grandkids as they do a traditional dance.

And as Christmas day spreads light across the world, rejoice in living, give thanks for all the gifts you have received in life, and build a better tomorrow for yourself.  And don’t forget to go Elf Yourself, it will bring a smile to your heart! *The elf videos expire 1/15/09*

God Bless us all.