Moving on and Growing Up

  Growing-up is not necessarily a new concept to me at this point in my life.  In fact, it's been one of the major focuses of my life in the last four years: Senior in high school to Senior in College.  You'd think I'd get used to the idea.
  2014 is going to be a big year for me: I graduate from college; I'm going to live in Europe for 3 months; I'm moving out of my parents' home and creating one of my own.  All this means that this is the last holiday season that I'll be considered one of the children / semi-adults.  Next year, I'll pick from the gift bag of names to see who I'll be buying a gift for in my family.  Next year, I won't have to read a book for WWII on a holiday.  Next year, I won't wake up in my parents' house on Thanksgiving as someone who lives there, but as their guest.
  What makes this such a sobering thought?  Today - Black Friday - is my favorite day of the year.  My family doesn't go shopping; we aren't big fans of the murderous masses.  We have a tradition on Black Friday.  We wake-up and eat Thanksgiving leftovers for breakfast and lunch. Mom makes maceroni-and-cheese for dinner.  In the afternoon, though, our house transforms.  It turns into a Christmas village - no joke.  We pull out all of the Christmas decorations and decorate the house.  My job is putting the tree together.  We play Christmas music, sing-a-long, and light up the house.  It's magical.
  After we finish decorating, we watch Christmas movies and eat pie.  It really is my favorite day of the year.  This day is spent with my family.  We have fun together, always, on this day,
  Something has made me a little sad though.  My mom says to me this morning: "I guess, after this, you guys will still have to come over for this.  With your husbands/ wife (for Daniel) and kids, even if we have to do Thanksgiving on Friday because you're with the in-laws.  You'll have to come decorate with me, watch Christmas movies, and eat pie." That was when I really realized it.  We will be creating a new normal after this year.
  I'm entering this holiday season with a strong sense of gratitude, sadness, and anticipation.  Gratitude to my parents for creating an environment that makes me a little sad to leave.  Gratitude to my parents for instilling in me a sense of tradition - tradition that I hold on to and cherish.  And gratitude to God for teaching me and walking with me as I grow up.  Anticipation what the next year is going to hold: 3 months in Europe (!!!), a job (eh...), and my own apartment (!!!).  Oh, and that thing that happens in May.... something about a degree.
  So to all of you who bless me by reading my blog: Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas! I am blessed immeasurably; thanks to all of you for being part of my many blessings.