For us, holidays are a little different. Being an active duty military family for 20+ years we celebrated when we were together, not always when the calendar said it was time. It wasn’t unusual for us to have our Christmas tree still up with wrapped presents under it in April when Justin came home from a long deployment, and we could celebrate together.
Last year we celebrated Christmas early with our kids, so we could go help with the hurricane Harvey relief efforts in Port Aransas, TX. We spent the holidays hugging, supporting, and encouraging the locals of Port Aransas. We helped set up a huge Christmas display in the community center and gathered donated presents so the kids could have a few toys when they had literally lost everything.
That is what Christmas spirit is about to us. Holidays are wonderful reminders of what is important, but if we can remember that feeling year round by making a difference in a strangers life in their absolute time of need, you’ll carry that in your heart forever. It isn’t about stuff. It’s about humanity. Love. Giving. Memories. We carry this quote in our hearts always: “You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you”. We’re pretty sure we left having felt we received more than we gave. What an incredible experience, and an incredible, resilient community we are so honored to have gotten to know.
Since we are brand new to the RV life, this coming Christmas will be our first. I hope to find something simple to decorate a little either inside or out, lots of folks at Picacho Peak RV Resort put theirs outside. It will be as strange as Thanksgiving was without family, but I’m sure we will find a way, but FaceTime for sure!