Now some of you might be wondering when looking at the title of this post "19 Ornaments", as to why I would writing about Christmas in the middle of September, and it is a totally reasonable question.
Recently in my Study Abroad class we had to write a reflective essay on our ethnic background and or tradition and how that shapes our family.
When addressing this essay I first had trouble thinking of anything that really stood out.
It then occurred to me upon further reflection the importance and significance of Christmas in my family.
It is not until now that I have began to realize just how much of impact Christmas has had on my life.
To my Mom Christmas has always been a very important time of the year.
Every year when I help set up all the Christmas decorations it seems more often than not that there are more decorations than before, however, my Mom will insist other wise.
After we have set up all the decorations, we will proceed to put up the Christmas Tree and begin the process of putting up the ornaments.
Ever since I have been born my Mom has bought a Christmas ornament every single year to represent something significant that happened in my life.
I never really thought much of the ornaments until now.
Each ornament is like a page in a book and like a page in the book every ornament has its own story and or meaning.
Some of the ornaments are more simplistic than others, but none the less the meaning remains the same.
Every year my Mom has placed a lot of emphasis on hanging these special ornaments first with the most recent ornament being placed first on the tree.
I've come to realize now that she was trying to make me realize how proud she was of me for each accomplishment that I achieved in that year of my life.
Looking back now I am extremely grateful for these ornaments and for all that my mother has done for me over the years.
Our Christmas traditions do not end there however.
We also use to have this tradition in which we played this countdown to Christmas Velcro figurine game.
Every morning leading up to Christmas we would compete against each other to see who could get Velcro the most figurine would get to open up the first present.
I remember some years were I would get up at 2 or 3 am just to put the figurine on the calendar day, and yes I'll admit sometimes I cheated and put the figurine on the night before, but who could blame me?
Also every December we try and watch as many Christmas movies as possible as a family, even if we have seen the movie a million times it'll be just as meaningful if not more.
Everywhere we go in the car during the month of December we will be listening to Christmas music, which kind of drove me crazy after awhile.
However, this past year I went off to college and during the month of December our radio station was always playing Christmas music and for some reason or another listening to it gave me this warm fuzzy feeling deep down inside and I did not know why, which leads me to my final point.
Family traditions no matter how small or big have a significant impact on shaping you into the person you are today.
That is why it is so important to treasure these moments while they last.
It is also important to take these family traditions and pass them down to generation to generation, that way others can benefit.
Do not hesitate however, to start your own family traditions.
Ultimately, at the end of the day these "19 Ornaments" may mean nothing to a passer by, but to me they are a representation of who I am as a person and I will treasure them in the road to come.
Thank you Mom for all that you have done.
Recently in my Study Abroad class we had to write a reflective essay on our ethnic background and or tradition and how that shapes our family.
When addressing this essay I first had trouble thinking of anything that really stood out.
It then occurred to me upon further reflection the importance and significance of Christmas in my family.
It is not until now that I have began to realize just how much of impact Christmas has had on my life.
To my Mom Christmas has always been a very important time of the year.
Every year when I help set up all the Christmas decorations it seems more often than not that there are more decorations than before, however, my Mom will insist other wise.
After we have set up all the decorations, we will proceed to put up the Christmas Tree and begin the process of putting up the ornaments.
Ever since I have been born my Mom has bought a Christmas ornament every single year to represent something significant that happened in my life.
I never really thought much of the ornaments until now.
Each ornament is like a page in a book and like a page in the book every ornament has its own story and or meaning.
Some of the ornaments are more simplistic than others, but none the less the meaning remains the same.
Every year my Mom has placed a lot of emphasis on hanging these special ornaments first with the most recent ornament being placed first on the tree.
I've come to realize now that she was trying to make me realize how proud she was of me for each accomplishment that I achieved in that year of my life.
Looking back now I am extremely grateful for these ornaments and for all that my mother has done for me over the years.
Our Christmas traditions do not end there however.
We also use to have this tradition in which we played this countdown to Christmas Velcro figurine game.
Every morning leading up to Christmas we would compete against each other to see who could get Velcro the most figurine would get to open up the first present.
I remember some years were I would get up at 2 or 3 am just to put the figurine on the calendar day, and yes I'll admit sometimes I cheated and put the figurine on the night before, but who could blame me?
Also every December we try and watch as many Christmas movies as possible as a family, even if we have seen the movie a million times it'll be just as meaningful if not more.
Everywhere we go in the car during the month of December we will be listening to Christmas music, which kind of drove me crazy after awhile.
However, this past year I went off to college and during the month of December our radio station was always playing Christmas music and for some reason or another listening to it gave me this warm fuzzy feeling deep down inside and I did not know why, which leads me to my final point.
Family traditions no matter how small or big have a significant impact on shaping you into the person you are today.
That is why it is so important to treasure these moments while they last.
It is also important to take these family traditions and pass them down to generation to generation, that way others can benefit.
Do not hesitate however, to start your own family traditions.
Ultimately, at the end of the day these "19 Ornaments" may mean nothing to a passer by, but to me they are a representation of who I am as a person and I will treasure them in the road to come.
Thank you Mom for all that you have done.
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