It is a chilly, but beautiful afternoon here at the old homestead. I have spent a busy morning meeting a friend for lunch, doing a bit of shopping and stopping in the grocery store for some things to make Christmas goodies with this evening.
My child spent the morning basking in the glow of my parents, her grandparents. She is spoiled beyond measure, I am officially giving up.
As I was attempting to do a little shopping this afternoon, I ran into a friend and her mom, out trying to do the same thing...all of us trying to shop, trying to get in the Christmas spirit and none of us having any luck. What is it about this year... I just can't get to the place in my head where I am blissful and peaceful and fa, la, la, la, la, la-ing.
My tree is up and decorated, the front door shines with holiday cheer, we have colorful decorations in the kitchen, a poinsetta adorns the dining room table and heck, I even broke down yesterday and bought a snowman and two spiral trees to put in the front yard and light the night for all who pass by. I wouldn't have done that except that my daughter has informed us that our front yard decorations are sorely lacking and she is deeply disappointed and embarrassed by our lack of Christmas decorating ability.
All of that, even watching the traditional Christmas movies are not helping to get me in the mood. Maybe I am just getting old. I feel like I am craving the simple things of life, not just here at Christmas, but in all areas of my life. I am old enough now to realize that material things are not important, it is the time spent with others, family, friends and loved ones that enrich a life.
I thoroughly enjoy spending an hour or two with someone dear to me, over opening a gift. I like sitting and talking, laying on the couch and watching a movie, baking cookies with my child or making crafts as a family more than all the items on sale in any given store. Time is precious, once we use it up, it is gone forever. I want to spend more time with the ones I love this next year. I want to soak up the laughter and fun and invest myself even more in the lives of others around me.
My Christmas wish for you, my dear reader, is that you come along with me for the ride. Let's concentrate on doing and being, rather than shopping and gifting. After all, the greatest gift we can give one another is ourselves, just as Christ gave himself to us on that Christmas long ago.
Living Happily inThe Moment!
Beverly
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