It has been awhile ~ Christmas

I need to make keeping this up a priority, otherwise weeks will slip by, like just happened to me.

Christmas is around the corner and I do not dread it, but do not look forward to it. I am sad that Christmas, which is supposed to be a religious day, has become a day where there are so many expectations, many which will be unmet, usually because they are unrealistic.

As a child Christmas for me was magical, Santa, the lights, the gifts, extended family to visit. Of course as I grew older and realized that Santa was, well he was who he was, it did not make Christmas lose its glow because then I was part of making the Christmas magic for my younger siblings.

Somewhere in my late teens, early 20's I started to realize that children created the magic of Christmas. Even giving to those less fortunate, while it produces a good feeling, does not create the magic of Christmas. Of course, I tried to keep all the rituals from my childhood, the tree, the cookies, the stockings, etc, thinking each would produce the magic. It just produces unmet expectations, unneeded pressures and frustrates those around you.

It took me awhile to realize that there is no right or wrong associated with the secular observances of Christmas. That some years I buy more gifts than others, hang stockings, put up decorations, etc.

The biggest thing that I want to give as a gift to all 3 of my kids this year and in the future, is to pass along these words of wisdom - I want and need no presents - except for the gift of their presence.