A Christmas Challenge: Gather Together!

(I’m reading Little Women aloud to the family, after just completing Narnia… girls request of course!)

 
A Christmas Poem: Gather Together!  
 
Moment by moment, you gain or lose something…  
Something, that is here... but now is gone;
how to get it back?
For tomorrow deceives you;
And now seems... right, but is wrong.
For small faces grow
And small hands no longer hold
What was budding is now bloomed;
 

I wrote this short poem as a challenge to “Gather Together” this season… But, not just to gather but to truly be together!  I’m NOT a poet but the words just came to me as I thought about my children and all the moments gained and lost.

 

Coleen and I have had a lot of discussion recently about being intentional with our time and our need to refocus our priorities.  The things I get wrapped up in seem right… but looking back aren't that important and I’m always looking to tomorrow to make it better.  But, the answer is now… I need to make the time now!

 

So this holiday season I’ve challenged myself to turn the TV off, put away the electronic devices, and make the time.  The time to read aloud (even Little Women for my little women), or playing a game of chess with my boys, and listen to their budding voices talk about what’s important to them.

 

Rick Holtz (practicing father)

47 Responses

Jessie Wang

Jessie Wang

November 21, 2019

I love your story!

Erin H

Erin H

November 21, 2019

Love this.

Patricia Biggar

Patricia Biggar

November 21, 2019

Great family tradition!

Denise Buffington

Denise Buffington

November 21, 2019

How Beautiful And So True. Your Poem Brought Tears To My Eyes. I Hope You Don’t Mind But I Would Love To Read It To My Grown Children On Christmas Eve. Many Blessings And Happy Holiday’s To Your Family From Mine.

Marilyn Holt

Marilyn Holt

November 21, 2019

That’s a wonderful idea and so important for the family too!! you have a lovely family.

Chung Wu

Chung Wu

November 21, 2019

So lovely.

Jen

Jen

November 21, 2019

You all are so inspiring! You run a fantastic business yet still have time for yourselves and family. So important in these times. Keep up the good work!

Ej bognear

Ej bognear

November 21, 2019

Awesome

Tammy Isom

Tammy Isom

November 21, 2019

Loved this! I remember when my kids were little we’d gather around the table and making Christmas decoration ornaments! Those ornaments are now put on the tree every year! They are sentimental to me as well as my grown children! Thanks for the smile it truly touched my heart!

Wen wen Wu

Wen wen Wu

November 21, 2019

Thanks for sharing this beautiful story!

Liz Hall

Liz Hall

November 21, 2019

Love this and am sending to my daughter and son-in-law in Texas. This will be our first Christmas with our first Grandson and what a great tradition for them to start with their new son!! Only wished we were closer to them as we live in Kentucky

Pamela Gard

Pamela Gard

November 21, 2019

Thank you! It touched my heart!

Frankie Pinnix

Frankie Pinnix

November 21, 2019

How profound and eye-opening! Thank you for sharing😊❣️

Cheri Weller

Cheri Weller

November 21, 2019

We always after holiday dinners play board games as a family and no phones allowed.

Cynthia Stacey

Cynthia Stacey

November 21, 2019

Very beautiful and brings tears to my eyes – thinking of the Christmas’s go by. Now we all have to make new memories and start new traditions along with the older ones. We do put the tech away during Christmas so we can reconnect. We play pranks on each other at Christmas. Oddly it is some of the same pranks but it always gets the kids. We try and make time for everyone as a family but also we make individual time also with each child and grandchild. We enjoy our front porch and we have many long talks on our porch which is very insightful to know what everyone is thinking – sharing the past, present and hopes for the future. One of our favorite things at Christmas is cooking together. Sometimes we have a team of two or three and make meals together. At first I found it hard to stay out of the kitchen but now I am getting use to it unless I am needed or I am part of a team.

Stephen

Stephen

November 21, 2019

Rick, it is great to learn what you and your wife Coleen are doing. While I was serving our country in the Air Force, I spent many days away from my family. While home, I made it my focus to spend time with my wife and four kids. After retiring, I became Mister Mom and attended all the kids activities while the wife went back to school. Now, our kids have kids of their own and my wife and I are truly blessed to have more hugs and kisses every day.

Bob Morella

Bob Morella

November 21, 2019

I do think reading is a wonderful way to reconnect with your family. We sing at Christmas together as a family. Many of us cannot carry a tune but it is still fun to sing outloud at Christmas. We also always play board games and work puzzles. There is something about a puzzle that draws everyone in.

Toby

Toby

November 21, 2019

We make homemade Christmas ornaments for decorating and gift giving!

ingrid lapp

ingrid lapp

November 21, 2019

I love this.

Aubrey Sharpton III

Aubrey Sharpton III

November 21, 2019

Members of the family make a point of getting our parents to family celebrations and others back – so they can have the Holidays with their grown children and the Grands and Great Grands. On the way into their community – we always make a point to visit neighbors and share hugs and hand shakes with all the other Residents – it’s so important!

Leigh Chappell

Leigh Chappell

November 21, 2019

Reading this makes my heart long for days past. We have four adult children who are married and all live in different cities, would be wonderful to share moments together like you and your family. It iis also great to hear this sentiment coming from a father. Thank you for sharing.

Elaine

Elaine

November 21, 2019

May we all learn to be present with our family!

Tony Barile

Tony Barile

November 21, 2019

All of my kids are grown now and have kids of there own. So it’s great just to be with them over the holidays m

Andrea Engelhardt

Andrea Engelhardt

November 21, 2019

We always make sure neighbors and friends have a place to go (our house) for Christmas if they don’t have family near by.

Andrea Engelhardt

Andrea Engelhardt

November 21, 2019

We always make sure neighbors and friends have a place to go (our house) for Christmas if they don’t have family near by.

Tina Coleman

Tina Coleman

November 21, 2019

Christmas day my entire family gets together at my Father’s house to enjoy each other’s company and great food. Christmas music plays softly in the background no cell phones, tablets or laptops are allowed when we get together for the holidays. Even if they were permitted, I honestly don’t think anyone would power on anything because we have so much fun with each other that they aren’t even thought of.

Karen Moore

Karen Moore

November 21, 2019

I love this! Your children are so blessed to have such loving parents willing to give so much to others. Your “new” children are going to be blessed beyond measure to have a godly home in which to live. God will bless you richly for those things you do for others.

Laura

Laura

November 21, 2019

I agree. Now that my kids are grown, those moments we have together are even more precious.

Kim Gaskins

Kim Gaskins

November 21, 2019

My children are adults now, but this reminds me of my moments with my children.
Game nights, reading books, family night (kids choice).
One on one time with each child is also important.
Have fun! They grow up too fast!
Merry Christmas 🎄🎁

Davina

Davina

November 21, 2019

Love these

Heather Veech

Heather Veech

November 21, 2019

Love this!

Jodi George

Jodi George

November 21, 2019

Its important to have family time and pay more attention to each other, you never know what time you have left

Tiffany Rivera

Tiffany Rivera

November 21, 2019

We will be turning all devices off while we play games and enjoy food. Enjoy your holidays ❤️

Nancy Fiorenza

Nancy Fiorenza

November 21, 2019

wow prayers

Kim Hillman

Kim Hillman

November 21, 2019

That is awesome!!

Susan

Susan

November 21, 2019

Perhaps you should write some more short poems. That is awesome.

Stacy Giacosa-Bauer

Stacy Giacosa-Bauer

November 21, 2019

After reading this post last night, my husband & I have decided to do the same. Our time with our kid’s is so precious and we all need to just unplug and spend quality time together. Thank You for sharing with us. Happy Holidays to your and your family.

Lisa Allen

Lisa Allen

November 21, 2019

Love your family and your products!!!

Stacey Quick

Stacey Quick

November 21, 2019

Beautiful poem!!!!
Time to remember the reason for the season and this needs to be instilled in the children of today.

Kristina Caudill

Kristina Caudill

November 21, 2019

We are huge advocates of adoption and support so many outlets to help people with adoption. We LOVE your story!!

Dixie Neitzel

Dixie Neitzel

November 21, 2019

Love the poem!! Great insight on the true meaning of the Christmas season!! God’s blessings!!

Jon M Gregory

Jon M Gregory

November 21, 2019

Holidays are when we “play” with our adult kids. Board games, cards, dominoes…..it is ON!

Mary Morton

Mary Morton

November 21, 2019

Yes, we need to get back to life before being taken over by electronics. They are good when used in moderation as all things are

Stacey Havens

Stacey Havens

November 21, 2019

Prayers Happy Holidays

vikki parman

vikki parman

November 21, 2019

I will be unplugging this holiday season!

Colleen Kraus

Colleen Kraus

November 19, 2019

Your words got home for us right now. In addition I too am try g to unplug. Sending many prayers to your family and so much love for new additions ❤️

Dyan Diven

Dyan Diven

November 19, 2019

Prayers!

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