With Christmas nearly upon us (and my shopping not 100% done) I am in a bit of a quandary. I spent the evening talking on the phone with one of my best girlfriends. The experienced mother of two talking with the new mom tells me, “but honey, mommies never have fun at Christmas.” In a way I can see her point. We take up so much of our valuable time making sure everything is perfect (or as close to it as possible) so that our children have this magical experience. But with all the hustle and bustle we endure, when do we truly take the time for ourselves? Is the drive thru line at Starbucks really taking the time we need? Really. No.
It has been weeks since I have sat down with a good book. All I see when I look at my tree is, I really need to water that again. Then I look past the tree at the laundry room and think, I should really do that laundry. The husband is going to have to turn his underpants inside out.
Sure, I didn?t have to make a bazillion boxes of candy. I don?t have to make my own Christmas cards (I caved in a moment of weakness.) And it is likely that I could pass off Trader Joe?s cookies as my own, but would I? Um, I?m good, but not that good.
I realized that the little things that are consuming my time are what make Christmas a magical for me. To me it is a time of giving and making everyone feel special. I like people to know that I take time out of my day to think of each and every person. I agonize over gifts to give. It is my way of telling you I love you. No, I don?t take the time for myself that I should, but to me I come second. My husband, my son, my family are always first. I don?t go over the top to impress anyone. I do it because it makes me feel happy to see the smile on someone else?s face.
My mom called last night to apologize for not being able to get together for cookie day. With our trauma with the food throwing, everyone being sick and a major power outage it just didn?t happen. She then designated me the official cookie maker. My first thought was, great. I don?t have time for this. I sat at my computer last night and tried to do my work and all I could think about was the stuff that I had yet to do before Christmas and then the end of the year. I went to bed literally sick. When I woke up I was feeling much better. I have less work than I originally anticipated and maybe this cookie thing is just what I need to get me in the Christmas spirit. Yes, I?ve been a little less than thrilled about the upcoming holiday.
No one is coming to my house so my floor doesn?t have to be spotless. I do a funky little dance over toys all day. So what if they sit there one more. And frankly yes… the husband can turn his underpants inside out for all I care. I?m off to have a little fun.
And to all those mommies out there that are overwhelmed this Christmas season… just remember this one very important phrase: “I?ll have another drink please.”