Nothing Holidays

For the first time in our married life we did not put up a Christmas tree, lights or decorate our home.

We didn’t skip the decorating as a way to avoid Christmas (having said that, there have been times where I would have liked to). It just didn’t work out. We are in the middle of major home project and the thought of trying to dig everything out and put it up overwhelmed me.

I have found it fun to hear the reactions of friends and acquaintances. Some were appalled; it just can’t be Christmas without decorations! Others felt that they wouldn’t mind a break from all that “stuff” for one year. I had one dear friend drive over to my place and bring me holly from her garden. She couldn’t stand the thought of a home without Christmas décor.

Well, guess what? Just as the “Who’s in Whoville” still had Christmas, despite the Grinch’s efforts to remove all signs of it, we still had a Christmas too! Imagine that.

We spent time with loved ones, ate good food and exchanged a few simple gifts.

One more thing to chalk up in favour of being middle aged...

I have learned to let go of what causes me stress and make room in my life for what really matters to me based on our values as a family.

I wish all of you a New Year where you can find happiness and joy in the simple things life has to offer.

Christmas Mirror

A friend posted this quote on FaceBook:

"Christmas is a gift, a wonderful mirror, in which each of us is still a child." by Chris Shea

This didn't resonante with me the way I believe the post was intended. However, I believe it to be true.

Christmas can be a mirror to show us our childhoods. The question is, do we really want
to go there?

I appreciate this quote because it helped me remember why Christmas is such a royal struggle for me.

What about you? Do your childhood memories make the season happy or stressful?