Christmas Reflections
posted: Dec 28, 12:41 AM
I had hoped and intended to write prior to Christmas, but as so often happens life got in the way. This is not a bad thing. Life is supposed to get in the way, grab our attention, force us to sit up and take notice.
This may be why Christmas can be such an emotionally challenging time. We are primed for the “Hallmark” Christmas. Lots of love, laughter, yummy food, amazing presents, the perfect tree…essentially a reality which can be difficult to achieve, even under optimum circumstances.
I enjoy all of the foregoing as much as the next person, but I realized many years ago it’s not often the perfect anything happens. I’m not cynical or jaded, I just believe perfection does not exist. I don’t believe perfection is possible.
I remember as a child being reminded by my mother that “no one is perfect and we should be glad because perfection would be very difficult to live up to.” I remember this because I was a “bit” of a perfectionist. I’ve evolved into a “bit” of an overachiever who realized she needed balance in her life.
O.k. back to the perfect Christmas many search for and usually find to be elusive. It’s the glitches which make the day memorable.
I lost the Christmas crackers. The kind you pull and when they break apart a treat, joke and silly hat fall out. I knew I had bought them. The Princess remembered me bringing them home, but they were in hiding. Absolutely no where to be found! She and I hunted high and low but with no success. Fortunately, the overachiever side of me had back up crackers. They were pretty lame, but allowed us to follow tradition. Traditions are a big part of my Christmas so this was pretty important. Mid way through Christmas dinner I realized the “good” crackers were in the trunk of the car. Duh! They will be handy for New Year’s.
The really funny part to this story is coming. We went to one of my sister’s for Christmas dinner on Boxing Day (another tradition) and her A grade crackers were missing too. Her partner remembered bringing them into the house but they had apparently wandered off. Happily they were eventually located in the laundry room. Odd spot when you think about it.
The Christmas crackers were fun, however, but not nearly as much fun as the company. My sister and I shared childhood memories with our children, drank martinis and wine while catching up on our news and shared our thoughts on life. I had the opportunity to spent precious time with my nieces who look up to the Princess as the fashion diva. After dinner we all played charades and couldn’t stop laughing. To me this is Christmas.
I believe Christmas is about love and sharing. Sharing your love and your good fortune with others. It is also an opportunity for remembering the blessings in our lives, the people whom we love.
I hope your holidays are peaceful.
Gemini