Every year as Christmas approached I had a wild scramble to get it all finished. I ran out of time before I ran out of things to do.

The cooking, the homemade cookies, the decorating and most of all, the presents all had to be squeezed into a busy work schedule that didn’t slow down just because of Christmas. Walking from mall to mall and store to store the big search was on for gifts that would please others.

There was a time when I thought I had to search for the perfect gift until I realized there was no such thing. So I settled for finding things they might like.

One year when I was at my mother’s house with three generations of my family I looked at all the presents piled under the tree and realized the true presents were not there.

The true present could not be gift wrapped.

That present was family. My family. Just being together was the best gift.

We ran ourselves ragged trying to find gifts for family. But it didn’t matter what was under the tree.

What mattered was the family around the tree.

I asked my daughter Maria if she could remember even one gift she received during those family gatherings.

“Not a single one,” she said. “But what I’ll always remember are the time we were together as a family.”

Now remember, this is the kid who once wanted to know why Santa didn’t bring her two things on her list. After all, she sent him a letter telling him what she wanted so he would get it right.

As she got older she realized our gift was being with family. Anything that had to be wrapped wasn’t the gift that made us glow.

We truly did cherish our family time together. But nothing could stop the sands of time from taking its toll. One by one precious family members joined the heavenly choir.

Airports and roadways are jammed with people who want the same thing. They want to be with loved ones for Christmas. And they are willing to endure hardships to get there.

This year, my family is going to Maine to celebrate Christmas together. Two of my grandkids only get two days off work. But they will travel there.

Sadly I will not be able to be there. Nor will my daughter Maria.

Both of us knew how hard it was going to be when the family gathered. Nothing is more important to us than family. Our hearts would be there where we could not.

Maria and I talked together for things we could do to when we are alone at Christmas.

I’m going to spend the day opening presents. None of the presents will come gift wrapped. But they are gifts that matter.

I will think, once again, about the gift of family. I will recall sweet memories of those who might not be here but my love for them blazes in my heart.

I think of my mother and recall when she told me I was blessed because I would have a stepfather.

No 12-year-old kid is thrilled to suddenly have as stepfather but it didn’t take long to learn Mom was right. Kind, gentle Ziggy was a gift in my life. Through the years he made our family even better.

If you find your family circle is expanding, welcome newcomers with open arms. Each addition can enrich your family.

I will spend some of Christmas thinking about those who have warmed my life through the years. Then I will reach out to call a family member who is also alone. I want her to know she is remembered.

If you have someone with whom you haven’t spoken to for a while, Christmas would be an excellent time to call.

Last month I had tears in my eyes as I watched the reunion of two brothers who had drifted apart for silly reasons. They had not spoken for 15 years until one of the wives initiated the reunion.

Talk about a Christmas gift for the brothers.

When I open my Christmas gifts I will glory in the gift of nature. I will go for a slow nature walk so I don’t miss any of the beauty around me.

Have you ever looked closely at a field of weeds to see the tiny flowers that are also there? Look closely now at how intricate and wondrous a so-called weed can be.

When I think of my gifts I am grateful for the gift of friendship that sustains me.

I was really sorry when I got sick and had to cancel going to my friend Linda’s Christmas party. She’d been cooking a feast for about 30 or more so I knew she was busy the day of the party.

Yet she still called me to ask if she could go to the store to get me whatever I needed to help the cough.

Then my friend Kay sent her son to check on me because she knew I was sick.

Having good friends that care is definitely a gift.

Instead of thinking about what I don’t have on Christmas I will spend the day thinking about the gifts that are mine each day.

We all have gifts to open each day starting with the gift of life itself.

Contact Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcast.net.