Most Memorable Christmas

[Diana Michelle]

For most Christmas is a memorable day having family and friends around and presents. Still all of us have had a most memorable Christmas be it for who was there or not there, what we got. They may be good or bad but we have all have one that stands out above the others.

Mine was Christmas 1986. In a way it was an almost tragic event that brought it about. I had been pretty much persona non grata with my family for 7 years after coming out and informing of them of my choices. Then in July 1986 my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a mastectomy. I only knew because my brother who I had reconciled with informed me. I went to visit her in the hospital and that event made her realize life was too short and we reconciled. I have to tell you that Christmas being there with my family and my first husband though he was just my fiancée at the time made all I had gone through seem so trivial. Sadly that was to be my last Christmas with her for she passed away the following September due to a heart issue brought on by her high blood pressure.

Looking back it was by far the best Christmas I have ever enjoyed being back with the family and the man I loved and still do even though he has been gone 21 years. Yes there were lots of nice presents that year and in other years but my best present was being back with my family.

[Heather W]

Thinking back over the years there have been a few memorable Christmases however head and shoulders above all my most memorable Christmas was 2017, Christmas Eve 2017 to be exact. That night it was just Kyle and me and we were at my place just relaxing and planning on exchanging gifts. Then it happened!

Winter Wonderland came on the radio and he asked me to dance so I said sure. When the song ended I looked up into his eyes and said something I had never before said to him. I said "I love you." We kissed and when we broke our kiss he said "I love you" to me. OMG it was like the weight of the world had been lifted from my shoulders and I never felt so complete up to that point in my life. That was just 2 years ago and you see where that led!

As I said I have had memorable Christmases in the past and hope to have many more however I doubt there will ever be a more memorable or better Christmas than Christmas Eve 2017 for me.

[DonnaT]

The morning my Grandmother wasn't there.

They had arrived late at night, and she slipped ice. Broke her hip. Never got out of the hospital. Pneumonia

[Annie]

When I got out of the Army and we moved back to Grand Rapids with my son, we got home to late for Christmas that year and the next year we had an amazing Christmas with both our families. It was the first Christmas in our own house at home and it was amazing. My Dad had so much fun with the kids that year. We all knew he wasn't feeling well but he wouldn't tell us and worse he wouldn't tell the doctor. He was gone by Easter the next year.
This year my wife took a bunch of our old super8 moves to the photo shop and had them put on a DVD and we watched it Christmas Day and there was my Dad laughing and you could see tears in his eyes. My two oldest sons barely remember him but my oldest did remember and said watch this as my dad picked him and gave him the biggest hug I had ever seen him give.
That Christmas of 1981 was the best. Hard to believe he has been gone for 37 years....