ahhh Christmas....

   As Christmas time steadily approaches, regardless of that Mayan calendar, I wanted to share a little wisdom on the effect this whole season has on most of us.  Whether you are funding a nation or a notion, everyone is pretty hectic and, dare I say, frantic about remembering all that has to be "done" for Christmas. All those joys of our life like; school functions, church functions, work functions, shopping, wrapping, cards, family pictures, vacations, decorations, "finding that Christmas spirit" (yes, unfortunately that is on the "to do" list for most of us nowadays), baking, cooking, list making, and to top it all off, remembering what in the world you did with last years Christmas gift from Granny. You know, that lovely bright colored reindeer sweater that you cant live without...  Ahhh the joys of the season.
      I don't think I have ever really mastered the art of gracefully flowing through the season with a smile on my face, nor do I think it is attainable this side of heaven, but I have come up with the following theory:  If the love of the people in my life depends on what I do (or don't do) at Christmas, then perhaps I have missed the meaning of Christmas.  My job is to love everyone like Jesus does. Unconditionally.  So perhaps, since it is His birthday, I am giving myself a little leeway on getting that "to do" list done.  I have 24 hours to complete at one time, and I will do what I can in that time.  It will be my goal this year to not be driven by guilt over what I should do, but rather joy over what I am able to do.   Easier said then done, I admit.
     Take for instance the past 48 hours.  I have no illusions that I wont have a "to do" list, matter of fact mine is about a mile long, I want to be able to give everyone a smile and to make it memorable for my babies! (And no, I have not done one lick of shopping: I pride myself in being that crazy lady on Christmas eve that does the mad dash dance through the isles of walmart, singing "grandma got ran over by a reindeer". Because that, my friends, is Christmas memories you cant buy.)   So, with half of my brain working on how this said "to do" list will get accomplished, the other half is left to tend to my poor sweet children. Evidence?  Well,  I have since sent one child to school with his shirt and pants on backwards, sent one with a questionable hairstyle that dates back to the mid 1800's (although I have mastered getting all the kids up and out the door in record time, I do not always check the process in which that is accomplished), I have feed the dogs horse feed (which I got a thank you card from the oldest of our mutts, with a request for a repeat dinner), found my phone in the fridge (and a bottle of wine in the freezer), ran over my sons bike (which I am still seeking counseling for), almost made it home before I realized I forgot to pick the kids up from daycare (don't worry, I would have remembered eventually), and now, coincidentally, I sleep with one eye open and face guard.   (refer to previous posts for details, for me the pain is still too real). 
     So how to maintain this "busy life syndrome" and still smile through the day?  Well, I suppose to each his own on surviving the expectations of the season, but I am gonna try and focus on the fact that I really love what Christmas represents and will not feel guilty that I can do that with a mimosa in hand. :)  We make it what we want it to be and for me, I love the lights, the music, the family time, the chance to show love to those I can and the joy that I get to go to heaven because of what this day represents.  So to all my friends and family, if I forget to get you something, or send you a card, or even give you a call; please be assured that you are always in my heart, and forgive this crazy brain of mine...  I wish a very Merry Christmas to all out there and from my love to yours may it be the best one yet…..