A family member asked what I wanted for Christmas. I realized—This holiday season my list is short.

I choose experiences. Not things.
I want for nothing but meaningful time spent with those I love. I want to:

Be joyful.
Play games.
Unplug.
Go outside.
Be still.
Laugh.
Give more—get less.
Count blessings.
Be grateful.

When was the last time you and your family had fun together?

We spend so much of our time in the throes of the daily grind. Alarms and wake-ups; carpools and car lines; homework and activities. We go. And go.

Only.
To repeat.

During these mundane tasks we tend to get short—our patience thin. There’s such little time for carefree, kicking back.

When the kids were younger, even simple tasks were exhausting. Just getting out the door without someone coming unglued was a miracle; eating breakfast and getting shoes and socks on required ten-tons of snacks and negotiations.

Now, there’s moments like these. We throw routine out the window and replace it with play.

These are the experiences I want to freeze in time. Not only because the kids can zip their own jackets, buckle their own boots, wipe their own noses, carry their own crap.

Lord knows, I haven’t forgotten how hard every single one of those tasks seemed only a short time ago.

Rather, it’s the days we shred down the mountain, sometimes chilling at the top of the summit simply to soak it all in that are forever etched in my heart. Whether we stop to take a silly selfie or eat some snow, I appreciate it.

Times have changed.

The kids can make it down the mountain, on their own. Sometimes, cautiously. Other times with reckless abandon.

At times, we wait half-way for each other to catch up. And then there’s the moments we zip on by, the others eat-our-dust.

In the end, we meet at the bottom of the mountain. Ready to head back up and have more fun. These are the days to remember.

I hope no matter what season you are in—your wishes come true.

Written by Valli Vida Gideons on www.facebook.com/mybattlecall

This originally published here https://www.facebook.com/1584759801535884/posts/2662317513780102/