By Kim Roberts

I have so many fond memories of holidays with my children all at home, under one roof, celebrating as a family. Christmas and Easter festivities were the best. From going to Mass, planning what we were going to wear, what we were going to eat and making sure each holiday was special and memorable for them. Such a gift as a parent to create these memories for your children.

Inevitably, time goes on, our children have all grown up and have lives of their own. My youngest is a freshman in college, so we do still have her in the house during holidays, thankfully. But, we are blessed to be able to spend parts of each holiday with our older children – I just have had to accept that it won’t be the same as when they were little, obviously.

It’s a different kind of magic now. Not the kind where you have a front row seat to watch their little faces light up during a special holiday moment or dressing everyone in matching outfits for that perfect family picture, but a mature kind where everyone appreciates spending time together as a family.

I especially love to see the bond my three children have with each other. The arguments of youth have been replaced with mutual admiration and enjoying each other’s company. I can’t put into words how full my heart is every time I get to witness them together talking about holidays when they were younger, our traditions and laughing together.

Even though holiday celebrations have changed as my children have become adults, we are able to create precious memories, as well as the obligatory family picture (just not in matching outfits).