Wordful Wednesday- via Meg via Cocoa

I've mentioned my sister Meg follows a blogger named Cocoa, who hosts Wordful Wednesday.  I've decided to participate this week and post on my Favorite Christmas Tradition.  My sister did a magnificent post on her blog and if she wasn't private, I'd link you over to her, but that would kind of be a waste of time since you can't see it.  She is also an amazing writer and I just throw out my thoughts so there would be a marked difference between the two!  haha  I don't know if there are specific rules I have to follow, like posting Cocoa's logo for this, so I hope I'm not breaking any "blog world rules." :)

My tradition is relatively new, considering my entire lifetime.  I'd say it started maybe 6 years ago?  I can't really say.  As you may know, I'm not married and I don't have any children.  I'll admit, there are moments during the holidays where it takes a lot of control not to feel resentful or irritated that when I wake up Christmas morning, I wake up to just me.  I know everyone wants to throw out words of comfort or say things in an attempt to make it less awkward for themselves, but really, its a fact.  I'm fine with it.  And no amount of words can change it so moving forward... :)

For several years now I've been spending Christmas Eve at one of my siblings homes.  I get to wake up Christmas morning and watch the kids open their presents and find notes from Santa.  I get to experience the excitement that comes from children receiving that perfect gift they didn't know they wanted until they opened it.  And all of that is truly spectacular and reminds me of my own Christmas's from years ago.  Maybe the one where Meg got a guitar.  Or she and I got a tv and then promptly got grounded because we broke the antenna fighting over it haha Or the one where I unwrapped the most awesome pair of cowboy boots a girl could hope for.  All of it still fills me with wonder.

But the best part of this tradition is my nieces and nephews.  They truly take care of their Aunt Fame.  In the beginning, I stayed at Meg's.  The Hotel "Anonymous" reserved my room, complete with turn down service and wake up calls. Since Meg and Herc have both been living out of state, I've been staying with Emi the past few years.  I would come down and the kids would show me to my room and make sure I was settled.  We'd get to leave out treats for Santa and the reindeer.  In the morning, Emi would come down to let me know the kids were ready.  I think she even let Cinderella come down one year to wake me. 

This year, I hadn't heard from anyone.  All my siblings are back in the state so I was wondering what I was going do.  Just three days ago, my phone rang.  It was Molly.  She asked me, very politely of course, where I was staying for Christmas.  When I told her I wasn't sure yet, she asked if I would like to stay with them this year.  She was SURE they could have a guest room ready for me and promised mints on my pillow.  How can you refuse that?  Especially when she's been out of state for some time?!  I accepted her invitation.  Only later did I find out that Molly had done this without the rest of the household knowing haha She later informed her Aunt Emi that I would be staying with them this year instead of her.  :) 

Its such a silly thing, but aren't most traditions?  Mine makes me feel so loved and supported and special.  I really am the coolest aunt who always has gum in her purse. ;)