The Most Important Day Autumn Courtney

The Last Christmas

The most important day of my life was when I got to spend my last Christmas with my entire family. It was a time of festivity, remembrance, and happiness. Little did I know, at such a young age, that I was never going to experience something like that ever again. My whole family together laughing and enjoying themselves. It was utterly the sweetest day of my life.

It all started on that morning. At the time I was living with my mother, but I ended up staying the night with my grandparents and cousins because I had “helped cook”. I was about seven or eight years of age. The night before was so much fun! My cousins and I would make pallets in the floor, play church with each other, and fall asleep to my grandpa’s old southern gospel music. It sounds boring, but we actually all had a ball. I remember waking up and being so thrilled to go to my aunts house, where everything was going on! My aunt’s name was Sharla Crawford. She was hands down the sweetest lady in the entire world. She was my cousin Caleb’s mom.

I had woken up at six thirty! It was Christmas morning and I was so eager to get everything started! I went and woke my grandparents up and we started to prepare for that day. Except we didn’t. My family is very untraditional. So, we didn’t start our Christmas “Day” until 4pm. Throughout the day all I did was annoy everyone because I was so anxious. Looking back it makes me laugh so hard, but back then I was so mad that I didn’t get my way. However, when the time came we all got ready, packed all of our food, and headed out! We made a pit stop to my mom’s house before we left. Just to make sure that she and my sisters were all ready. As soon as we were done checking on  them we left for my aunt's. I remember getting out of the tiny buick my grandpa had and running as fast as I could to the front door as soon as we got there. I was so ready to see everyone! All of my family from Little Rock, Arkansas had came in and I hadn’t seen them since Thanksgiving. The younger you are, the slower the time goes. I could not wait any longer. I ran in and the first person I hugged was my precious aunt Judy. She gives the best hugs. After that I told everyone else hello, and for some reason we were the last of the family to show up. So, as soon as my super slow grandparents came in we got started. Back to my family being very untraditional for dinner that night we had tacos, chips/dip, and everything Mexican. It was yummy! I remember after everyone had gotten their food, and we were all seated my grandpa wanted to bless the meal and pray. I was literally about to be on my second plate, but it was okay everyone thought it was funny. Once everyone took forever with eating we FINALLY got to open up some presents! This was, clearly, my favorite part about Christmas. I had always had such a big family so I always got so much stuff,  and I loved it. Once all of us opened our gifts we started to sing Christmas Carols. This was a really fun time because everyone would dance, laugh, and sing off key for the fun of it. As I sit here typing tonight I can’t help but to cry. Just to cry and let my tears fall. This was eight or nine years ago, and I am remembering every detail like it was yesterday. This was the most important day of my life. It may not be typical, but this day has impacted me the most. It has brought me comfort and content. It taught me how to appreciate the good times, how to value family. Family is the most important thing in this world. Driving home from Jonesboro that night I was so worn out by all the fun I had, had. I wouldn’t change it for anything, though.

That upcoming summer my aunt Sharla passed away due to an uncommon heart problem. No more family Christmases at her “massive” house, no more get togethers, no more taking me to the fair, no more “yes, darling?” from her sweet voice, no more girls days, no more nothing. That day changed all of our lives. We had lost one of our very own, but we got through it as a family! We stuck together and stood side by side. That's what she would have wanted. She would've wanted us to stay strong in our faith, stay strong in our family. So, that’s what we did. Yes, this is the most important day of my life. Not just because it was Christmas or because I had a few good tacos. I was surrounded by people who loved me! That’s what made it so special, and I thank God everyday for it.