I received the best Christmas presents over the past week or so. They haven’t been wrapped in paper or decorated bags. No, these presents have been wrapped in flesh and bone; in love and kindness. The best part of these presents is that they come from my children. The very fruits of my labors have come back to bless me more times than I can even believe.

The first gift was a realization I had while having a discussion with a friend of mine. First let me say that I have a half-brother but other than maybe 3 years we were raised completely separate in other states and even separated by an ocean at one time so the thought of how siblings are supposed to be has completely evaded my psyche. I’ve basically been an only child.  I just knew that I wanted my boys to look out for each other and to have that closeness I missed out on. I’ve raised my boys with the hope that if anything were to ever happen to me, even when they were adults, they’d be there for one another. My boys are boys. They fight over the bathroom, the remote, who broke what, whose turn it is to do household chores, and who ate the last of the peanut butter. They also rejoice when one of their brothers succeeds in something. They comfort when one of them fails at something. They even push each other to be better at anything they do. They are, for all in all, what I dreamt of for them. They are brothers in the truest since of the word.

So my gift? My friend said I’d done an excellent job raising them on my own. (I really haven’t though. My parents and their taxi services the past 5 years have been a Godsend). It hit me then and there. (Thank you God for those swift kicks to the head by the way) I may not be able to give my boys material things but I have been able to give them the gift of each other. They are well rounded, well-adjusted young men. None of them have been in serious trouble, they don’t do drugs, I know where they are at all times, and they not only look out for one another and me but they are socially aware to look out for others in need. Yes, they even help little old ladies in need. That is the best gift I could ever wish for. My boys have become amazing young men. At 20, 16, and 13, they are more of men than many of my peers and I am so blessed to be there mom.

I said giftssssss didn’t I? Gift number two: We’ve been hit with a snow and ice for over a week, this is the worst December since 1989 and it just keeps coming. School has been out for over a week but on to work I’ve managed (at least a couple of days). I usually tell the boys to do a few chores but on snow days I know that goes in one ear and out the other. After all, they are boys. I work four 10 hour days so I don’t have to drive the 60 miles to work so much. Just before I left work I checked my Facebook app on my phone and all three of my boys posted: “Surprise! Just saying”…. Oh crap! What have they done? I came home walked in and they had cleaned the living room from top to bottom. I could actually see the coffee table. We had a coffee table? Who knew! My middle son was in the process of rehanging the pantry door. (Let’s just say “NOBODY” accidentally broke the bottom hinge several weeks ago). Wow! What a gift. They spent their snow day cleaning up. It was the best.

Next gift:  After wrapping up presents and sticking them under the tree my youngest asked if that was it? I said pretty much so. He proceeded to say nothing he asked for came in any of those shapes. Little does he know I was trained by two before him that are masters and figuring things out so I never wrap anything just as is. My middle son proceeded to tell him, “Don’t you know it isn’t WHAT’s under the tree that matters? (awe) then he continues “It’s HOW MUCH is under the tree! Giggles follow. Then he turned to me and said “Just kidding mom. You way over did it. I only asked for one or two things and none of those look like a car OR an ipod” I told him the car came it parts and he’d get the bolts for his birthday. Ha! Ha! The gift was that no matter what is under the tree my son appreciates that I tried hard and I really WANT to give them a good life. For the record, there’s only 3 or 4 store bought presents under the tree but I made a few handmade things that I wrapped individually just to fill up the tree. Sad I know but it works. They’ve come to expect the handmade things. Which is so funny to me. I can never not make them something from here on out. God has truly blessed me.

The other gift is that during this horrible wintry mix weather, I have food in the house. Usually I’m short on everything but this year God blessed me with the resources to have the house stocked with the things we need to make, bake, and eat our way through the storm. This includes toilet paper.

I’ve been truly blessed over this past year. I transferred departments at work. I truly look forward to going to work every day. I enjoy the people I work with. Sometimes I can’t believe they pay me to have this much fun. I’ve had health children this past year. For the most part, I’ve not injured myself majorly; just the usual injuries. My health is improving as I started eating right and sleeping better. I’ve got a wonderful, warm, and safe home that’s paid for even if it still needs some TLC…don’t we all? I have a safe, reliable 4 wheel drive vehicle that is also paid for. I have a wonderful view every morning. I have my parents and my grandparents nearby and my children get to have a great relationship with them. Most of all I have a loving and caring God who is always there for me even though I am not always there for him. What a blessing that is.

This time of year it is so easy to get caught up in the commercialism and materialism that is thrown at us from all directions. I figured out finally that my true gift is the life I’ve been given. What I make of it is up to me and I have chosen to enjoy the many blessing that God has given me. This is the season to rejoice in the gift God sent us. After all, for those of us who are Christians this is the day that the Lord hath made. The true gift is Jesus. That is what we are celebrating: The birth of our Lord and Savior. Happy Birthday Jesus and thank you Lord for the most precious gift every.

God bless you all and may you have a safe and wonderful Christmas.