The True Meaning

The True Meaning

At long last, I held you in my arms,
inhaling your sweet milky scent,
savoring the music of your little grunts
and the wonder in your blue newborn eyes.

My heart melted in an instant
as I danced with you in the living room,
singing a song about the clouds, rocking you,
soothing you into a twilight sleep.

You slept soundly as the television blared,
through the loud laughter of your siblings,
as they giggled and rolled sticky dough balls
into sugar coated peanut blossom cookies.

I have finally found the true meaning of Christmas –
in the sparkling eyes of my grandchildren,
in their endless imagination and excitement,
in the love overflowing from their pure hearts…

And I am forever grateful for the gift of each of them.

Colleen Keller Breuning © 2025
December 26, 2025

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! It’s been a whirlwind week full of blessings with all FOUR of the grandchildren!  🙂

We first traveled to Katie and Brenton’s in Panama City, where we finally got to meet our newest grandson, Holland James Hitchcock. He just turned one month old on Christmas Day. My heart is overflowing with joy and gratitude. He is a beautiful little boy, and we instantly fell in love with him. It’s been so heartwarming to see older sister Posie as his “little mother,” knowing how to best soothe and take care of him. We spent Christmas Day together, and it was jam packed full of delicious food, gifts and laughter. We baked Peanut Blossom cookies, watched Christmas movies, went to a light show downtown, ate at Tom’s Hot Dogs (Hatcher and Gramps were in Hot Dog Heaven lol), went to Christmas Eve Church service and had several days of fun-filled, wonderful memories together.

I cried when I said goodbye to each of them, then we made our way south to visit my son Vince, wife Natalie and grandson Anthony. I finally got a chance to post a poem I quickly penned yesterday on the drive down. Anthony was not shy at all – he was all smiles and happy to see us again. He is inquisitive, funny and reminds me of Vince at age 18 months old. Today we played on the patio and he absolutely LOVED the stuffed dinosaur gifts. (Like father, like son!) What a joy it has been to spend time with all of them.

It is true – there is no greater gift than a child – or a grandchild! For me, Christmas is made all the more special because of children. The years we don’t get to spend the holidays with them, it just feel so empty and less spirited. So this year, Dan and I are truly soaking up every moment and enjoying making memories with them. I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and that the New Year brings you many blessings! ❤

Xoxo,
Colleen

Ecrits Blogophilia Week 26.17 – Christmas Comforts
Hard Bonus: Incorporate a gift or gifts that have special meaning to you or someone you care about (grandchildren)
Easy Bonus: Mention a Christmas or holiday cookie (Peanut Blossoms)