Remember... don't forget!

Christmas! It's finally here, the Christmas Season! For me, there is such great nostalgia and sentiment wrapped up in the Christmas season.
There are so many things to do, and so many of them can be enjoyed even better with family and friends!
Look in your area for free concerts, or put all the kids in the car to view other houses' Christmas light displays. You can go to the mall, and just walk around and enjoy the sights and sounds!
There are so many ways to enjoy this Christmas, make sure that you take the time to make some new memories this year!
And while you're at it, don't forget to remember!
Remember people, there are some people that will not be with us this year, that were here last year. Now is a great time to talk about these souls, and to teach our children that it's good to remember and talk about loved ones that have gone. The more time you take to talk about these people the more embedded in your minds they will be. When your children are older, the memories that your children have will be the ones that you will help to cultivate now, help them remember!
Remember harder days. There's nothing better to put life in perspective, than our own comparison of our situation. There's something to be said of telling your children about the "good ol' days". But also remind them of some past Christmases that you might have had in their life time. As your children get older, it doesn't hurt them to know a little more of the reality of life, especially when they are in and past their teen year. By being able to share with them some of the struggles of your life, it will help them a few years down the road when they have some struggles of their own. If they are allowed to believe that it's all a bed or roses, they will think that they are alone in their hard times, and that you or others can't relate.
Remember how others gave. As you recall, it was not necessarily what they gave, but the way that they gave it. Usually, it's not the gift that makes the memory, but WHO it came from, or the story behind the giving! Remember these with your children! They will learn what is really important to you is their heart.