I would like to note some progress on my part here. This time of year, it is so easy to fall into the traps of societal craze, and I just don't do it. Every year I get better and better. I wrap less, want less, bake less, decorate less, and therefore stress less. I have no expectations about what Christmas should be, I just let it be, and each Christmas that passes transcends the magical.
This is because I am watching and not doing.
While there may be people in my life that feel they received something small from me when they expected something bigger--a gift, a greeting, or glitter pouring out of every orifice on my body--I hope they notice that not getting "caught up" allows me the space I need to give what I want to give: the time to be the ear on the other end of the phone and not the voice, the Mom who says, sure, let's read that book for the fifth time today, the person who stops to listen what God is saying and not the advertising industry.
After closing this post, I am going to drink strong coffee and sloppily wrap some gifts. When my daughter wakes, we will eat the last piece of waxy chocolate from her 49 cent Advent Calendar. I will turn on the Christmas lights that are so ill placed they look like they should decorate a frat house. Then I will think and sing and dance and eat with my family, because today we celebrate abundance of spirit. This abundance will be just as exciting in August as it is today, and next year, if we choose, it will still fit.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
that book you read 5 times to sophia, was that skippyjon jones?
you are a good example of ignoring the societal "christmas" which includes almost everything but the real meaning of christmas...
Yes, Michelle. Skippyjon jones and fajitas and frijoles everywhere. I don't know whether to thank you or disown you for buying us that book! Just kidding!
Thank her! That book rocks. I love hearing Katie say "Skippyjon," and I love saying," Mr. Fuzzy Britches."
Post a Comment