Letter in the stocking tradition

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My daughter's first Christmas, a co-worker shared with me her holiday tradition of writing a letter to her children and putting it in their stocking each year. I loved the idea and began my own annual letter writing tradition. Each year during the mad rush of the holiday season, I find a small piece of quiet to reflect on each child, what they've accomplished, what they've overcome, the memories we've made together, and the possibility the new year holds.  I include our holiday card for the year with the thought that when they leave home and set out in the world they'll have 18 letters and photos chronicling their childhood journey as part of this family and part of who they are as an individual. Finding a piece of quiet in the middle of the holiday bustle is some times not easy, but always worth it. Because the Christmas morning tradition of reading the letter (often aloud) has become a bonding experience. When my kids were younger, I would read their letters aloud to them. Now that they are teens and a tween some of the letter feels more personal, they will read aloud parts or make summaries, and occasionally read the whole piece.

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Don't tell Santa but during some of the hardest years, years of big transitions, the letter was mentioned as a highlight of the holiday. I've seen the letter copied and kept next to a bed for months. Being witnessed, being seen really is a gift in and of itself.

As an example of the "get love. give love." truth I see, do, and learn over and over again, I received this letter in my own stocking last year:

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So much love. Time for mine to circle back. Top Secret: I have an hour alone this evening - a little piece of quiet. I'm going to sit down with a cup of tea and three sheets of paper.