I’ve been sitting here thinking about what to post on the blog today that reflects the holiday season. Everyone says, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays at this time of year but, what are they really saying?
So many people I know say that it doesn’t feel like Christmas. Well of course not. I think they are digging into the feelings they may have had as wide-eyed children experiencing the thrill of magic and mystery that simply no longer exists for most of us as adults. So many people talk about being stressed out for the holidays. Of course they are! Spending too much money, running around finding gifts, adding decorating, baking, entertaining and visiting to already busy lives. I know people who say they feel sad at the holidays because of the people who have left this earth as the living and are so sorely missed especially during holidays. Then there are people who are do not celebrate Christmas but live in a world where Santa and Jesus overshadow all else for the month of December.
Tell me, what are so “happy” and “merry” about these things?
For me, the merry and happy in the holidays come from the time spent with my family and friends. My heart swells to have everyone home and sitting together at the dinner table. I love the banter between our now grown children, the laughter and jokes, the easy conversation between people who have shared experiences of life. I love how pretty the tree looks and the stories it tells through the ornaments. Some are souveniers of first Christmases or homemade gifts to Mommy and Daddy, some remind me of my grandmother, some are handed down from past generations and others were picked up on travels around the world. Baking makes me happy because I don’t do it all year so it is special and appreciated plus I get to lick the beaters! I love pouring the rum and eggnog, pulling out board games and laughing so hard by sides ache. It makes me happy to get Christmas cards, emails and calls from old and dear friends or distant family. In the end, not a single bit of my “merry” or “happy” comes from shopping or gifts or Santa. It comes from people and the blessings they bring to my life.
If you are reading this, you are lucky enough to have a computer or access to one. You are likely lucky enough to have a roof over your head and food on the table. You are probably lucky enough to have choices about how you wish to spend your holidays.
I hope you are blessed enough to have loving family and friends to make your Christmas happy and merry. If you don’t, go make a new friend this very moment because someone out there needs you too
Happy and Merry Blessings.
PS) Just for fun, meet my family: http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1668913161
