Merry Christmas, sweet friend. Come here and let me give you a hug…
I’m a hugger! You’re just gonna have to put up with it.
Ah… There we go. Merry ?? Christmas.
As I fell asleep last night (very, very late last night, so my under-eye circles are raging), I thought back to when I was a kid, and it was all about tearing into my presents and finding out what Santa brought me.
I remember a few times when my brother and I were still really little — before we were doing the stay-up-all-night thing, which we did later because my family celebrates on Christmas Eve — my mom tucking me into my bed, and then me listening for reindeer hooves on the roof, because I couldn’t wait for Santa to come.
Those were the kinds of things that made Christmastime then — presents and Santa — but it’s so different now. I mean, yeah, I still love seeing someone’s face light up when they open up a gift, but now the things that make me the happiest on Christmas are the time with friends and family and just feeling whole. Knowing that I can talk to the people who aren’t nearby and tell them that I love them, even though we aren’t physically in the same place, but I can still feel their spirit and their love. That fills me up and makes me feel like I’m tucked underneath the snuggliest blanket, safe and secure.
I know that everyone doesn’t have that feeling of whole-ness on Christmas, though, and if you don’t, please accept this token of virtual love from a stranger and her family. We may not be in the same room right now, but I just want you to know that part of that feeling of wholeness is you and I chatting here now.
Oh, my gosh, am I really getting teary right now…?
Wow, you know…we’ve been doing this for going on eleven years now, following each other’s exploits, challenges, changes and accomplishments, chatting about things on this blog. I feel like we’re part of the same tribe, and it’s better than eggnog and ginger snaps and candy canes combined. It’s the best thing to know you’re among people who care about you, and you will always have a friend in me and Tabs. And Connor, of course, although she was a later addition. And El Hub, even though he never says hi, but he’s also here.
Not just today, but every day, you’ve got a friend.
Sending you so much love.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Florence says
Happy christmas to you and your family.Have fabulous days.
Karen says
Hi Florence,
Merry Christmas to you and your family too! I hope you have a wonderful day. ?
Niki says
Merry Christmas, sweet Karen and fam!! You’ll never know how much I needed and appreciate this post today. We’ve never met and I don’t post often, but I totally think of you as a friend. You’ve made me feel loved and it means more than I can tell you. Tribe-mates for life!!
Divina says
Maligayang Pasko! ??? Beautiful post! We love you!
Pav says
A very merry Christmas to you and your family Karen!
Sandy says
Merry Christmas Karen and to your entire sweet family. You have been a ray of sunshine to me this past few months. Who knew losing a hubby could be so shattering ?
Chelsea says
Love you Karen, along with Tabs, Connor Claire, and Hubs. Lots of love from our fur family. I’m a hugger too, so I’ll take all the hugs!
Ruchita says
Merry Christmas to you and your family! Hope you’re having a wonderful day. The kitties send their love and purrs too. 🙂
Denise M says
Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family <3
Denise M
LindaLibraLoca says
Sending so much love back to you and your family, Karen! Our family and extended family just left, we had 30 people over and it was amazing, busy and full of love. Christmas really is a special time.
Sakura says
You look really cute! Merry Christmas to you too! Your post made me cry a little. I wish you and your family all the best things, health and happiness! Have a great day!
Karen says
Hi Sakura,
I was teary when I wrote it too. It comes from the bottom of my heart. Sending you lots of love and a big hug!
Veronica R Takata says
Merry Christmas Karen! Merry Christmas to you all!
Karen says
Merry Christmas, Veronica!
Chris25 says
Merry Christmas! You are such a great person, Karen!
Karen says
So are you. 🙂 Merry Christmas, Chris!
Laura says
This is the nicest thing you’ve ever posted. I don’t enjoy the holidays all that much because I don’t have a big happy family. I find myself jealous of those who do, as well as lonely. Thank you.
Karen says
You’re welcome, Laura. I hope this helped you in some way on Christmas. Sending you lots of love. ❤️
Diana says
Merry Christmas Karen! It is just like you to think of others today&to post this heartwarming message to your tribe. You are such. a sweet soul! Love&light to you and your family.
Karen says
Merry Christmas, Diana! Did Kitty Face leave anything in your stocking this year? I’m sure he did, he’s such a sweet tabby boy.
Diana says
I think he consulted with Tabs- he got me a Sephora gift card this year ? The Tabbys knew just what I needed! It’s Arctic weather in CT, trying your awesome gingerbread cookie recipe for our shelter bake sale, wish me luck I can’t bake lol
Karen says
What a sweet boy! He’s such a thoughtful cat. 🙂 Good luck with the cookies, you’re going to do great! Let me know how they turn out.
Christina Tran says
A very Merry Christmas to you and your family Karen!
Karen says
Merry Christmas, Christina! ❤️
Susan says
Merry Christmas to you and your family Karen! Hope Coywolf enjoyed Christmas too, seeing it through the eyes of our child always brought us joy!
Karen says
Hi Susan,
Merry Christmas to you and your family! The Coywolf caught a cold and was unfortunately under the weather for the holiday, but otherwise she was in good spirits and enjoyed ripping open her presents. Sending you a big hug!
Annemarie Harrison says
Karen,
Merry Christmas to you, El Hub, Connor Claire, Tabs, your Parents and In-Laws.
Thanks for the long-distance hug–I could use it today. My Mom and Dad have both passed away, so Christmas is just not the same without them. 🙁
Rose was a very good girl this year so Santa brought her toys, furry balls to chase and treats!
While I don’t always comment, I look forward to reading your posts every day!
Much love,
Anne Marie (& Rose)
Karen says
Hi Annemarie,
Sending you such a big hug and lots of love. I hope that you and Rosie had a wonderful holiday together. Merry Christmas to you both. ❤️
Annemarie Harrison says
Thank you so much Karen! Can’t wait to see your Christmas pictures and the pictures of Tabs Kitty Rager! LOL!
Beth says
Sweet message, merry Christmas!
Karen says
Merry Christmas, Beth!
Lisa says
Merry Christmas and God bless to you and yours! Thank you for sharing your story and wisdom.
Karen says
Merry Christmas, Lisa. Sending you hugs!
Daphne B. says
Merry Christmas, Karen!
Thank you for the lovely post today. I look forward to reading your posts every day, and even though we have never met, I always feel like I am sitting down to chat with a friend. You always brighten my day! Merry Christmas and wishing you, Connor Claire, Tabs, and El Hub a year filled with more love and joy then you could ever imagine. Thanks for a great year!
Much Love, Daphne
Karen says
Hi Daphne,
You’re the sweetest. Thank you for being such a sweet friend here in the comments. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas out there in Georgia. Sending you hugs from California!
Mona says
Merry, merry Christmas to you, your hubby, Connor Claire and Tabs! 🙂
Karen says
Thank you, Mona! I hope you had a very Merry Christmas!
Iris says
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Karen says
Thank you, Iris! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.
Rachel Runyan says
What a beautiful message! ((((Hugs back))))) I hope you had a wonderful Christmas! We did. I’m still a bit sick, and my older son is getting sick, but we still managed to have a good time.
Karen says
Hi Rachel,
Thank you for the hugs back; I need them! Both the baby and I are sick, and we were out of town for the holidays. I’m glad to be home on the couch resting now. I hope that you feel better soon and that you had a wonderful Christmas with your family.
Rachel Runyan says
Awwww….I hope you’ll both feel better soon. The only thing worse than being sick is seeing your baby sick and not being able to do a heck of a lot about it. (((((more hugs)))))
Karen says
Hi Rachel,
We’re feeling a lot better now, thank goodness. 🙂 Everyone told me that she’d start getting sick a lot once she started hanging out with other kids, and le sigh… It’s so true. It’s rough when they’re toddlers because they can’t communicate exactly what they need, ya know? I’m just glad she’s feeling much better. We bought a humidifier and that really seems to help a ton, especially at night.
Ester says
Merry Christmas to you! I also remember when my sisters and I used to gather around the tree, those were moments I’ll never forget.
Karen says
Hi Ester,
They’re sweet memories. We’re so lucky to have them! Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Shannon says
Merry merry Christmas, Karen!!! So much love to you, el hubs, Connor Clare, and Tabs ❤️❤️
Karen says
Thank you, Shannon. I hope your day was happy and full of some much love. And food, too, of course!
Barb says
Merry Christmas!! Hope your day was filled with love and wonder!
Karen says
Merry Christmas to you, too, Barb. Sending you lots of love!
Rachel Runyan says
Humidifiers and vaporizers can be lifesavers. I’m glad you’re starting to feel better. Just wait till Connor starts school — the colds will never end till she graduates high school.
Sissi says
Oh you are the cutest! You have such a warm heart! Christmas always is weird to me since I moved to the US (which was 12 years ago!), not only cause most of my family lives in Germany, but also cause I’m not a child anymore. I literally feel like I only try to make it a special time for my son. But it’s also so different how much money you feel (or I) like you have to spend. My son is 12- so it’s all about electronics…just on him I spend hundreds. When I was a child, it wasn’t about money and I know of course that I’m guilty for what I buy, but what are you going to do: I don’t want him to feel like his friends get amazing presents and he just gets socks lol. But I feel like it has gotten outrageous how much money we spend on Christmas. It was easier when he was younger lol.