Kathy, mine is kind of the reverse of yours but ending up at the same conclusion. Growing up we definately weren't rich, but dad was a general foreman with General Motors, so we never struggled for money but we certainly weren't spoiled. Mom was a stay-at-home mom, always had homemade everything...clothes, bread, cookies, prom dresses. Christmas trees were always perfect, decorations were great, every year we got to go to Frankenmuth to pick out a christmas ornament. Very ideal. Very strong to try to live up to and I didn't. I work, I'm twice divorced and the girls and I struggle every day. This year I'll be doing Christmas on only my income and it's scaring me terribly. However, I've come to the realization that my girls don't care a whit about presents. They were excited that we got a good sized tree, we decorated it together, I turned Tori loose on the nativity scene (she loves setting that up), Kaity made cookies, we all decorated them, the girls set up the Christmas village, we hung the stockings. I know it will be hard on Christmas morning when there are only 3 or 4 presents each under the tree, I know it will. I also know they will be so happy for the gifts and even if they are disappointed (they are teenagers, after all) they will never let me see it. They know I am doing the best I can for them and I am so grateful they are the wonderful children that they are and that we are together.

Your childhood was so different from mine, Kathy, and so hard. I'm so sorry you had to go through all that, but you are such a caring and loving person and the things you went through helped form your resolve and caring. I'm so glad you still have the true meaning of Christmas!