Munich at Christmas

And here we are on Christams Eve. How we {read: I} got here, I'm still not sure. Here we are, nonetheless. 

Last week, I had the most beautiful and lovely few days exploring Bavaria and Munich with a dear, German friend. I was so happy to finally see a little bit of her gorgeous country and she was so excited to finally be able to share part of it with me after 10 years of hearing about it from her!

You all, let me tell you, Germany does Christmas right. 

It was giddy wandering around the beautiful streets and Christmas markets set up in nearly every square in the city. The twinkly lights, yummy gluhwein, and Christmas music playing all over Munich made me feel like it was really Christmas. It was giving the North Pole a run for it's money. These pictures don't do the atmosphere and beauty an ounce of justice, but here the are. Perhaps they will spread a little Christmas cheer to you.

Living far away from loved ones and family during the holiday season can be a tough, emotional, tear filled {insert another depressing adjective} time. Although these feelings have threatened to creep in during hard days at work and coming home to nothing but an empty fridge {slightly redeemed by fabulous bottles of wine I somehow manage to keep in abundant supply} in the weeks leading up to the holiday season, I've been so very lucky to have so many far-away "families" in my life that have warded away those feelings that were on the cusp of breaking through.

So, to my dear friends, far and wide, who have always made me feel like family throughout my life, whether it's been holidays spent with you or just welcoming me into your homes with open arms and making me feel like one of yours, thank you from the bottom of my heart for showing me so much love. I am continuously overwhelmed by the kindness of others, and I wish the whole world would recognize that in each other.

Although I'm lucky enough to spend this Christmas with my family, there are so many that don't get that time with their loved ones, my little brother included. Please say a little prayer or happy thought up for those who might be alone or far away during this holiday season that they know how much they are loved and missed. 

I wish you all the very merriest of Christmases. And to those of you not celebrating, all my warmest wishes during the last days of the year.

O Tannenbaum

Decorating the Christmas tree is one of my favorite parts of the Holiday Season. 

It's usually a Mom + Brother + Me affair. 

But we were missing a very important little brother this year, so Daddio filled in and cheered us on from the couch.

My parents' tree is always my favorite {and I mean favorite out of every gorgeous tree I see each year}. It's not perfectly put together with lights meticulously spaced and ornaments beautifully coordinated.

Instead, we have popsicle stick ornaments my brother and I made in elementary school. There are family pictures posted on the back of a coffee can lid that we crafted in preschool. Ornaments my grandmother made when my mother was a child. Others that we thoughtfully picked out on our family vacations. Gifts from loved ones to mark special occasions in each of our lives. 

It's really a memory tree.

Every ornament on our family tree has a meaning and sentimental value behind it. And I think that's what makes our Christmas tree perfect each and every year.

I always get a little teary eyed as we decorate the tree. It reminds me how blessed I am as I take a trip down memory lane as each ornament is unwrapped from it's box or tissue paper. The ornaments are like pages of our family's life-long story book.

As we put more ornaments up and the tree becomes so full that we don't think we can fit any more on it, I began to think about how this little fir tree tells a story about each of us. Each year, there is usually a new ornament to put up, which means a new memory has been made - one of many that we each have from the past year.

I hope I have a tree like this for my children someday. So they too can tell stories about ornaments from my childhood and remember exciting and fun things from their own lives. 

Christmas is about celebrating so much more than our world today realizes. It's a time to be thankful for all the blessings we have been given in life. And I'm a firm believer that family is the best and most important blessing of all.