IN LOVE WITH CHRISTMAS

It’s the weekend before Christmas and the jovial hustle and bustle of the season is disappearing and being replaced with sheer panic.  I watched outside my office window on Friday as people were frantically running in and out of stores with manic looking faces. My humour is often twisted and I found the craziness absolutely hilarious.  At lunch time, I took a mandarin orange and sat out on the bench in front of my office and people watched.  I knew that I looked quite calm because I felt it  and I knew that my Christmas shopping has long since been purchased, wrapped and delivered to those I will not see on Christmas day.  One woman actually told me I looked too “gawd damn happy", for which I broke out into another fit of the giggles.  She snorted at me and I could see she did not appreciate my amusement. I wondered what she would have thought had she known that I have already started my Christmas shopping for next year?  Perhaps, that is better left unknown.

I look forward to the yearly traditions that the holiday season provides to me.  From sitting and watching the same Christmas movie year after year with my mom, to tearing bread to get it ready for stuffing the next day, to opening one small gift on Christmas Eve.  Little moments are in abundance and filled with simple happiness. Christmas mornings are sweet and innocent and even the pooches get into it.  My better half makes a scrumptious breakfast and we eat and relax while listening to Christmas music.  Later in the day we settle down with the rest of our extended family and some how survive the chaos that ensues with the too many cooks in the kitchen and too many opinions on whether the turkey is done.  We eat and rest our rather fully bellies followed by games aplenty. It is a tumultuous joy.

And when everyone has gone, we sit quietly in the soft hues of the Christmas Tree lights reflecting on the day.  Good or bad, it is always memorable.

For some it is about the religious aspect of the day, for which I respect.  For me, however, when it is all said and done, it is not about the receiving of anything but it is about the giving of myself and the much needed reminder of how blessed I am. But mostly, and as corny as it sounds, it is all about the joy of  being in love with Christmas.

Until Next Time.

Smooches Pooches