Dec 24th and all is quiet within the house - quiet as a mouse (have you ever heard a mouse - they aren't quiet at all! All that nibbling, scratching and fake posing when they are heard... no, not quiet at all!
Finally the all I want, all I need...is over and awaiting the jolly fat man in the red coat overseeing the 'wise guys' antics as they drop gold, frankincense and myrrh on the bed of the long anticipated though unaware baby wrapped in the latest Gucci swaddling clothes. Like what kid wants metals and incense for their birthday?
Tis the season to be Jolly, receive mega presents and show off this season's colourful if somewhat gaudy decorations. Ho ho ho is that all this season is about?
I don't know about you but I find this time of year can be the most stressful, guilt ridden time and creates a mixed bag of anticipation, regret and finally acceptance.
We are led to believe that after we have dressed up the store bought Spruce in the middle of the floor dropping its dry needles while the pets are playing with the escaping ornaments that have rolled under the couch, monitoring the continual placing and replacement of the overabundance of the culinary goodies spread on the gold linen draped table surrounded with all our 'happy, happy Norman Rockwell family' talking about their trials and tribulations of work, kids, taxes and environment...
Yes, tis the season to be Jolly...
I prefer this time of year to be about family and friends that come together because they want to be together not because their last name happens to be the same or it is expected and therefore obligatory to attend.
Memories are attached to their owner and my memories of last years holiday will stay with me for a long time. We were all together (with the exception of one family member and his wife (due only to distance) the balance of the family arrived in stages combating weather and treacherous roads due to the huge snow fall that closed down the city. My husband and I had finished shoveling our steep and long drive for the fifth time when the boys & their girls finally arrived safe and sound. No sooner did they arrive and our power went out...
I lit the strategically placed candles, while my industrious Renaissance husband got our generator going, hooked up the stereo to play Christmas music and moved our well planned meal to the gas BBQ to continue the cooking.
We played games by candle light, around festive music eating creatively cooked appetizers. Though everyone's memory of the night was different, it will always be one of the best Christmas eves that I will remember.
This year will be much quieter as our family is enjoying their time at the 'other half's' family homes. That is as it should be and is OK because I hold the memories of Christmas's Past that will always fill my heart with joy. And that, my friends, is what this time of year is about for me.
I hope you have a wonderful and peaceful holiday weekend!
