A Christmas Story 🎄

[@WokeGardener]

While I no longer celebrate Christmas, I most definitely celebrate both joy and peace. I wish every single one of you a joyful and peaceful day.🙏🏾🫂🤎

[@JacquelineBell-t1r]

Peace and blessings to you sis.

[@WokeGardener]

@JacquelineBell-t1r 🤎🫂

[@regisnyder]

Good morning! To hear a child say “you can do what you want because you’re an adult” was powerful! I’ve been saying no to family gatherings for whatever reason for years now. If I don’t feel like being bothered I don’t go. Period. And I don’t care about if someone feels annoyed. I need rest.

[@WokeGardener]

I will NEVER forget that moment. My baby gave me so much in that moment.🤎

[@regisnyder]

@ I’m sure. I can definitely imagine how large that grocery bill was even for back then. Especially Thanksgiving food at that!!!

[@ElizabethBSoCal]

I can soooo relate to this. For the last 20 years of their lives, my parents lived in my home. We hosted (and PAID) for every holiday, every birthday. My siblings never cooked, cleaned or even offered to share the costs with me and my parents. My mom died a few days before Christmas in 2020 (dad passed in 2017). I hosted one last big Christmas in mom’s honor. That day I told everyone to enjoy it because I am not doing it any more. Today, I am in Vegas, with two of my nephews and some friends. We are enjoying the holiday week here and LOVING it. Thank you for sharing your story and the lesson you learned!

[@WokeGardener]

🫂🤎

[@wlj4501]

That is a beautiful story. Not because of what happened, but because of the life lessons that were taught by the babies and the one learned by the adults. Boundaries are critical and your peace and joy are required.

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@JustPaperASMR]

"No" is a hard word to learn, but once learned, it's AMAZING! Have a good day, everyone! 🥰

[@WokeGardener]

Amen!🙌🏾

[@tammyspears2254]

I so love the mommy you became 🎉 . That was amazing. I love this for you and your sons. If more moms could have learned this we would be less scarred.

[@WokeGardener]

In all honesty, it was one moment of many. I have a lot of regrets, but not this one.🤎

[@JacquelineBell-t1r]

It's a shame that we feel sometimes more obligated to others than to ourselves. You truly hit it all on the nail. Sis.

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@elitecahinyabishop2713]

It's more than beyond OK TO SAY NO FROM NOW ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@lgee9027]

Exactly!!!! My family lined up three separate Christmas events Tues, today and tomm😮😮😮😮 umm NO!!! Im going today and thats it!!!! Im protecting my peace!!!! ❤❤❤ Happy Holidays to everyone!!!🎉🎉🎉

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@whitemarge123]

THANK YOU FOR REMINDING US THAT CHILDREN ARE WISER THAN WE ARE. ALL THEY WANTED WAS TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU AND HAVE PEACEFUL XMAS. I AM SINGLE WITH TWO FUR BABIES CATS AND ATTEND XMAS MASS. THAT IS MY JOY❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉😊😊😊😊

[@WokeGardener]

@@whitemarge123 🤎

[@Mrz.Lakima]

❤❤❤❤. It's ok to say NO!

[@WokeGardener]

It absolutely is!🤎

[@cinnamonsunshine6331]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@tonyajohnson3450]

WOW, words from the babies are never wrong!❤❤

[@WokeGardener]

💯

[@alimae8780]

Once again all facts!

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@NefetareAtenRA]

Amen.

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@lisalove395]

Thank you for sharing your story. Happy Holidays and may the New Year bring you peace, prosperity and all the joy your heart can hold. 🥂🫶🏾💞

[@WokeGardener]

🫂🤎

[@leongardner710]

Excellent 💯 💯 💯 "mommy, u can..." Ppl treat us the way we allow them to! It's truly sad that some of us don't know how we want to be treated.❤🎉😊

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@jeannedowning1243]

Thank you for these powerful words of encouragement. Boundaries and no, no, no! Hope your day is filled with joy and peace...😊

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@leeluuleibling1111]

This story reinforced MY DECISION❤❤❤❤❤THANK YOU

[@WokeGardener]

You are SO welcome!🫂🤎

[@tntaylor101]

Not “…who grew up eating the end pieces of Wonderbread…” 5:21 😆😆🤣😂😮‍💨😆

[@WokeGardener]

True story

[@tntaylor101]

@@WokeGardener 90% of the time I listen to you trying to figure out if you’ve been reading my diaries or if I’ve been reading yours 😂 That whole ‘Mother who will always place a male before you’? Chile. Especially when you’re raised constantly hearing that mother complain about her own mother doing the exact same thing to her. 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@isolda980]

Great story time WGsis! And what a wonderful mom you are! I had a couple of abusive relatives. It does change you & I'm in my 60s! Never had to deal with the itches for Christmas though.

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@Cindy-l7j]

Thank you for sharing your story. Have a beautiful and peaceful season

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@yvetteeholmes]

Happy holidays sis, your Christmas story was beautiful. On Monday, my mother and I went to 3 stores, and it was about 3:30 and the last store was Fred Meyers. That store was packed, and my mother wanted me to go into the 4th store to pick up 2 items. I told her no, because I was getting up early to pick the rolls and I could pick up those items in the morning. Of course, she was upset but I really didn’t care. During the holidays, I must set boundaries because I don’t have children, and everyone thinks I enjoys being around chaos. I don’t, I choose peace.

[@WokeGardener]

Good for you. 🫂🤎

[@neenadumas5210]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@roxeloggins]

Happy Holidays Everyone 😉

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@nurse6450]

Powerful message and I received that in Jesus Name 🙌🏿 You really tell stories well ❤Merry Christmas and to the lady you thanked at the beginning I would like to say thank you to her for being such a beautiful person God puts those people in our lives when we need them HE is an Awesome God !! Thanks again ❤

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@beckygarcia4416]

Thank you so much for this Christmas story. I’m happy you had that day.

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@Paula-bc8vq]

I can sympathize with you and know where you are coming from! My mother and grandmother both died of dementia 😭😭I miss my mother so much and wish I could hear from her just once more! I know that God is taking care of her until me and my five sisters go up to join her and my father!!

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@leasiew1985]

GM❤. Have a very Merry Christmas 🎁🎄 ❤.

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@LivingEmpoweredToday]

Wonderful! I was never one for being with my family on Holidays because they didnt help do anything. I wasnt going to be that one. Mom died I wasnt doing it as the Daughter. They all figured it out and we were happy alone. Of course I became the pariah...I. Don't. Care. ❤

[@WokeGardener]

I get it!👏🏾💕

[@alisa45385]

The boy gave you the best gift ❤

[@WokeGardener]

He did. He gave me courage I didn't know I needed, when I needed it.

[@multicrafter639]

Amen!

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@naubaucat]

Have a Happy Holiday🌲🌲

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@estlhm805]

Some family are strangers who are that, if it wasn't for family ties, you wouldn't know these people.. But you can meet some people who are family because of the way that they treat you and really care about you. I have some family you will only see when there's a funeral. But beyond this point you will never hear from many of those who claim to be family.

[@WokeGardener]

I dont even go to funerals anymore.🤷🏾‍♀️

[@fbercy]

Have a restful day Auntie! Happy Holidays!!!☺️💜🎉

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@ShortStop-l2p]

Yes my Sister! Lay it on the line❤️

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@quetee53]

❤❤❤

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@MzzzOne]

💯🎯💯🎯💯

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@tonyajohnson3450]

Good morning

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@tonyajohnson3450]

Enjoy your day!❤

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@jeannettelee2806]

I’m watching this December 26, 2024 and I’m not doing holidays again, my bougie grown children in their 30-44 and their spouses plus my 3 grandchildren. Who don’t eat meat, dairy, only eat organic anything, no oils, only eat certain food prepare certain ways etc. They call they themselves cooking, but washing dishes or loading the dishwasher, no wiping down anything, picking up or putting away anything. I made an announcement that me and my husband was going away next Christmas, they started making plans for a family group trip. I put a stop to that real fast. I’m 63, retired I had 2 strokes,heart issues, nerve issues and I’m tired and done. I gave my children a good life and I want to enjoy, relax and do my hobbies. I still will take care of my grandchildren 5 days a week from 7am -5:30 pm and cook Sunday dinner. I’m done with the unnecessary hype over all the holidays.

[@WokeGardener]

I get it! 🤎

[@pearlyj.7493]

Got it!😊

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@tonyajohnson3450]

All facts!!!

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@dreykini407]

Beautiful testimony. I think your love for cooking and your being a great cook may have come your ancestors. I had to learn to cook myself. You are a great storyteller and I just love your voice. Merry Christmas. I don’t have or cash app. I have PayPal,Zelle and Apple Pay. I’d like to donate to your pantry. I don’t have IG anymore so I couldn’t DM you. New subbie.

[@WokeGardener]

Thank you so much for wanting to help.🤎

[@earnestineroberts5564]

Amen, Amen, Amen!!!!

[@WokeGardener]

🤎

[@terriyoung5032]

I was waiting for you to say we didn't celebrate Xmas at all, now that would have been joyful. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4mafpymZd2VbZYsi=-9ZmFBkfW5BAQn3H

[@WokeGardener]

We no longer do, but the decision to not celebrate Christmas is a process. That was the beginning of that process. Choosing our OWN traditions and terms.

[@terriyoung5032]

​@@WokeGardenerSHALOM to you and your family

[@gemn1k291]

❤❤❤

[@WokeGardener]

🤎