Christmas is by far my favorite holiday, and I am so happy that I was able to spend it at home this year with my family. I was also able to reconnect with an old friend during Christmas break. Upon my arrival home, I was greeted by my friend Anna. Anna and I have been best friends since we were young when we grew up living next door to each other. After high school we went our separate ways (her to Colorado for school and me to the University of North Dakota) but we still kept in touch and when we see each other it’s as if nothing has changed.
Anna and I grew up admiring the Miss America Organization, (so much so that we both went as “Miss America” for Halloween one year) and every year, we enjoyed watching the Miss America pageant with our mothers where we would all pick our top 10 favorites and pretend we were the judges. As a little girl, I dreamed of being up on that stage and I am proud to now be in the position to work towards one of the goals I have had since I was young. Anna and her mother were so excited to hear all about my title as Miss Grand Forks and what I’m doing to prepare for the next level of competition. I could tell that they were also proud that I have become a part of the Miss America Organization. After catching up, we went out on a typical “Anna & Kate” adventure! First, we went shopping to collect supplies for making Christmas crafts and cookies. We then came home and constructed a ginger bread house, made almond bark pretzels, and crafted Christmas trees made of ornament bulbs! We had a great time getting into the Christmas Spirit together.
On Christmas Eve, my Dad and I attended a wonderful church service. The music was phenomenal and I was very happy they played my favorite Christmas song, “Oh Holy Night.” The beautiful music reminded me of my grandfather who recently passed away. The first Christmas after losing a loved one can be hard, but I’ve learned that with my family around me, it will always be a special time.
Later, my family and I watched “Christmas Vacation” and “Home Alone,” a tradition we’ve had for many years that never seems to get old!
On Christmas morning we woke up and chatted around the Christmas tree until everyone was awake. We admired the tree and observed each ornament, recalling memories from them. Every ornament has a story- either my brother or I made it, it was a gift, we purchased it on a vacation, it has old pictures in it, or it was made for us by a family friend. It is my official job to decorate the tree, and it is really fun for me to take out each ornament and be reminded of fun memories every Christmas. In my opinion, that is how a Christmas tree should be- created by a family. As Charlie Brown would say “All it needs is a little love!”
When everyone was awake we exchanged gifts. I gave my Mom earrings and a lipstick, my dad Sioux pajama pants, and my brother a massive Sioux decorated water bottle. My “little” brother Jackson is 6’4’’ 280lbs so I figured something huge for him to bring to football would be a good gift. I received perfume, a beautiful scarf, and gift cards. My mom received tickets to the Wild vs. Manitoba Jets game from my Dad, and was grinning from ear to ear the whole day. She is a proud Canadian and grew up watching the Jets so she was so excited when the team returned and even more excited now that she gets to see them play!
That night we sat down to a terrific meal and talked most of the night until it was time to go to bed. I am thankful for all of my gifts, but even more thankful for my health and for the many blessings that this Christmas brought me.
Kate Wilson
Miss Grand Forks 2012
