Dawn Svancara

Dawn pictured here with her granddaughter Lilia and her daughter Erica. BY DAWN SVANCARA (Mother and Grandmother) We have a family tradition of meeting at my Aunt’s house every Christmas Eve with the entire family. The year 2016 was different for me and my daughter. She was a new mother, and I was a new grandmother. Our precious baby girl, Lilia, was just over a year old. She was walking and expressing herself… especially her displeasures. During the festivities, the children were gathered together, playing with toys, and having fun. One of the other children came and sat on my daughter’s lap. Lilia, very confused, looked at the child setting on her mother’s lap. She walked over and promptly tried to push the child off of her mother while babbling some indistinguishable words. My daughter and I laughed uncontrollably. It was then we both agreed she had inherited our feistiness!

This year will be different. Because of COVID-19, we won’t be able to share a wonderful Christmas Eve, like in year’s past, at my aunt’s house with our families.. Despite COVID-19, we are expecting the Joy of Christmas to come to our family! We are having a new baby due, my 2nd grandchild, any day now.

This Christmas, because of COVID-19, we are planning to have a small get together with a time limit and everyone wearing a face mask. We are skipping the large late night family Christmas Eve party and the Secret Santa gift exchange this year. We plan to have virtual gathering with family and friends over zoom so we can all still enjoy one another’s company. I am most thankful for our safe, healthy, and happy family this year.

My Words of Wisdom to other mothers and daughters, don’t reflect on all the things you don’t have or the people you can’t see this Christmas. Happiness is recognizing and appreciating what you have.