Snark & Sensibility

MY TURN

A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS EDITION

HAVING THE PRIME OF MY LIFE

“I think we should cancel Christmas this year,” I told my husband.

That was when we still lived in Florida and spent many holidays sans children or grandchildren. We got smart and moved a lot closer. Now we enjoy many more activities with the grands.

However, family get-togethers still pose a significant problem. With busy schedules, some family tensions, and a son still living farther away then an hour drive to G & Gs, getting everyone in the same place at the same time is getting increasingly problematic.

I long for those crazy, busy, times when the kids were young, and Christmas was a rip-roaring adventure.   

With my full-time writing career, Hubs now handles most of the shopping and Christmas cards. Though I appreciate his help, I miss the insanity of gingerbread houses, Christmas cookies, and seven-course meals. I miss the sleepless nights wrapping presents, and waiting for the kids to go to sleep to fill their stockings.

Many years in the past, when we lived so far away, Cash was the gift of choice. I am grateful now that we are close enough to “deliver” actual gifts to our family, even though the times we see them during the holidays is fragmented.

It doesn’t seem like Christmas unless I’m frazzled.

Although, this year is getting closer to that goal. A very full schedule of concerts, church activities, and connections and writing deadlines. For that I’m grateful.

Christmas used to be my favorite holiday because I planned for it all year. I loved being awakened in the early morn by exuberant gift seekers anxious to open presents. I’d laugh as I hurdled my way through the living room over mounds of torn wrapping and strewn treasures to get another cup of freshly brewed coffee.

Unfortunately, the seasons of our lives are never stagnant. Change inevitably creeps and twines its way, strangling cherished traditions. Though I still love Christmas, I sometimes feel sad as I drag out the decorations … fewer and fewer every year as we have downsized our living space.

I notice I have kept a lot of my angel ornaments. They comfort me as I hang them on our three-foot artificial tree. I can almost hear their herald announcing Christ’s birth.

I have kept one Nativity Set, a gift from our son years ago. As I assemble it, I see a small tiny baby born in a cold barn, His bed made from a feeding bin and filled with prickly straw. His layette was a burial cloth, a symbol of the very reason why he came.  I see shepherds kneeling to a Baby King born into poverty. 

A strange way to send the Messiah. As I empty myself of disappointments that threaten to choke my joy, I focus on the child and my spirit springs to new life. I thank God for the gift of himself—Emmanuel—God With Us. Unencumbered by my changing life.

MY CHRISTMAS BOOKS:

A description of my books can be found on my website: www.lindarondeau.com, as well as on amazon.com.