It’s the most wonderful time of the year! My mind has been swimming with thoughts about gift-giving, the true meaning of Christmas, balancing the check-book (is that even a thing anymore?), decorating, baking, and running from event to event. Let me start by saying that none of this is bad...but when you hear a little voice in your head saying, “I just need to get to December 26th”, you’re doing too much. Here are some thoughts (in no particular order).
This year has been a dumpster fire of drama at our house and one of the big lessons was this: It is OKAY to receive. The end. I like to GIVE, and receiving is tough... Friends and family want to help...let them. You will be called upon at another time. It’s okay to not be okay.
I have a “gifts are my love language” husband. This will never change. CTDad was raised by an amazing woman who filled the house with decor, hundreds of cookies, and gifts packed under the tree..it is who he is and that is how he experiences love. It’s not a money thing, but, for me, can be a stressor. I have learned to roll with it. I do my best. One of the favorite Christmas’ for me was when we had very little money and gave each other 3 things: a piece of clothing, a book, and a CD. You do YOU and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing.
I am a pretty calm person, but the decorating after Thanksgiving about did me in. Have you ever tried to replace lights on a pre-lit Christmas tree? We put the tree up, took it down, tried to cut off the lights (on the $$$$ tree) and after an hour we realized that some things in life just are not worth the effort. Each light is wrapped 3x around the branch. Jesus take the wheel!! (Or the tree). Goodwill was thrilled to have it, and off we went to find a tree. He literally had to stand guard at the “floor model” tree in Hobby Lobby while I chased the sales guy down for a price. By this time it was 4:00 on Day 1 of decor-gate. The outside light guy called to cancel, and, with that, we went into Day 2. All I can say is that when my CT-Nan and CT-Pop downsized their Christmas decor I was disappointed. I am becoming my Mom and Dad.
I had a baking day. When CTD grabbed a cookie, I almost lost it. I mean, “These are for Christmas...and important people!!”...I caught myself. Take a breath and relax. You are not baking for the President. No one cares that much.
I’m not sure if this blog is making you sane or stressed, so with this I will close. Enjoy the moments. Maybe it is the local high school play, or laughing with your girlfriends at a gift exchange, reading your bible when no one else is awake, making it to the gym and seeing the “GRUMPA” license plate in the parking lot (always makes me laugh), thanking God that you are included and loved and whatever happens, it will be okay!
Peace,
CoffeeTalkMom
“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6
