Christmas presents challenges

It’s almost Christmas. The shopping is almost finished. The cooking and cleaning have begun. Holiday letters have been sent. Santa has written to select children on the nice list. Christmas phone calls are still to be made. The preparations for the big day are on schedule.
I wasn’t sure we were even going to have Christmas this year. My mother’s ongoing health problems have been on my mind. Every time I think she is back to normal something else happens. Sometimes it is serious and sometimes it is merely worrisome.
I had so wanted to have Christmas at our house this year. I wanted to stay home for a change. I wanted to go overboard decorating and cooking. But it is not to be.
The only decorations are a couple of wreaths on the door. There is a Santa in the window but he has been there since last Christmas so I don’t think that counts as decorating. The garland was draped over the porch railing shortly after Thanksgiving. That’s it. All the other baubles are still stowed in their boxes. I have no desire to unearth them. There is no Christmas tree to fill the house with the smell of the holiday and I have no desire to buy one.
Yet, there is much to be thankful for this season. As of now, Mom is still with us. I have friends whose mothers are receiving hospice care. They are under even more stress than I am. My mom isn’t that bad yet and I am very thankful for that.
My friends who don’t celebrate any holidays have called often to check on my sanity and to offer recipes for home remedies that might help her. My family shares in taking care of our mom and in worrying about her. All of the people who help my mom with everyday living are truly angels in disguise.
People still man the red kettles that have signified the holiday seasons for decades. Carols compel me to sing along as they warm my heart. Animated specials still remind me of long ago holidays when I had to hold on to the rabbit ears during the entire showing of Frosty the Snowman in order to get a decent picture on the tiny television we owned.
In this holy season the spirit of goodwill that surrounds us signifies all that is good about humanity. Little children still believe in a fat man who delivers toys for no other reason than because he wants to. Reindeer still fly. Rudolph reminds us that it is possible to rise above those who tease us. The Bible stories I was taught come to life in various nativity displays that have yet to be banned from sight.
Yes, it is almost Christmas. It is an excuse to give our loved ones tokens of our affection. They are only tokens because there is not money enough in the world to repay those we love for loving us. It is time to stop and rejoice that we have made it through another year. Every year has its own special challenges and this one was no different.
There are joys also. There is the joy of seeing pictures of a toddler who lives in his Iron Man Halloween costume. There is the joy of opening a garland made by a grandchild when said garland consists of more tape than paper. There is the joy in having a warm pet on my lap when it is cold outside. There is the joy in knowing we have made it through one more year.
There is the joy of knowing that I can celebrate Christmas my way, whether that means displaying every ornament and Christmas related item we own, or hanging only one or two things. I can proclaim my belief that a baby was born who changed the world. I can say aloud that I believe in the Christmas story and that I believe it is OK for others not to believe as I do. I can still wish each and every one of you a very merry Christmas and I can echo Tiny Tim when I say, “God bless us every one.”
Whatever life has given you, I hope you have the best holiday possible and remember that nothing is ever exactly as we want it to be. Sometimes it is even better.[[In-content Ad]]