It's a rainy Sunday afternoon and my boys are upstairs, hopefully cleaning out their closets of toys they no longer play with or need. My puppy sits by my side, literally licking the air as she tries to tickle her taste buds with scent of the leftovers from last night's dinner which I heated up for lunch. Chores are being tended to and I'm trying to finish up this week's newsletter before we head off to the nativity pageant at church later this afternoon, followed by an event a Phipps to see Santa.
'Tis the season, right?
It certainly is the most wonderful time of the year, but can also be equally stressful and exhausting, and a time, well, where you forget it's the most wonderful time of the year.
Just this weekend, I've had to make myself put down the computer or stop addressing Christmas cards so I could help my boys decorate our Christmas trees. I drove an hour in traffic on Friday evening to LanierWorld to check out their Winter Adventure and hop on kiddie rides and push the gas pedal on the bumper cars. I jumped in a tube and flew down the hill alongside my guys. I stopped to enjoy the moment and the season and the spirit of the holiday that oozes out of our children. A spirit that hits me from time to time and floods my emotions, taking me back to the thrill I felt in my childhood.
It could be losing yourself in a song, baking cookies for Santa, doing something nice for a neighbor, or finding that perfect gift for that special someone on your list. Whatever it is, take the time to find that spirit of the season. Let it fill your mind and body so that it spreads to others. And watch that spirit spread on and on.
Put down the to-dos and enjoy the twinkling lights while driving around in your pjs with cookies and chocolate milk. Sit by the fire and read out loud to the kids...stories of the season, or telling stories of your childhood. Whatever you do, soak it up and make it a part of who you are. Make it a part of your children's memories. Make it a part of how you live the new year.
So let's start this week....today....now. Let's do this for our kids. Let's do this for ourselves. Let's truly enjoy this season.
Have a joyful week, and feel free to let me know how you are finding the spirit of the season!
Erin
erins@macaronikid.com
