December 14, 2007

• Challenges met

  So much going on here – some good, some bad, all emotional. Why is it that emotions seem to be so heightened at this time of year? When the time we should be holding those we care for near and dear, instead we find ourselves involved with drama and overwhelmed with tension. I know for some, this time of year isn’t a time of celebration and joy, but a time of depression and anxiety – I know that but it saddens me to have people in my life missing the wonder and joy of the Christmas season. I love Christmas. I love all the holidays, but Christmas is my favorite. I love the magic of the season. The thought that so many years ago, on one miraculous night, a babe was born who would change the world. No matter what else, no matter the financial situation, or current status of any given situation, that is enough reason to celebrate in my opinion. So tonight I won’t go into all the drama, but instead, answer the questions posed by Featured_Grownups and the Kween_of_the_Queens.

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  Featured_Grownups:

  Traditions:

   

  Growing up Christmas was a special time. Christmas meant several things to me. Besides being a great gift receiving holiday, thoughts of Christmas were always tied up with images, smells, and special events. The sight of the advent wreath and the lighting of the candles. The purple decorations in the church, signaling the beginning of the advent season. The smell of fresh trees we would often cut ourselves, up in the mountains, where the snow keep them fresh and green. The cinnamon smell of Biscochitos and the rich taste of fudge. Each year we would put up the tree, Dad would do the lights, mom, my sister and I would carefully place each ornament. The ornaments were an eclectic mix of old and new, handmade and store bought. Each with a story of their own.  Although our tree never looked like those in the department stores, we loved it all the same.

   

  On Christmas Eve we would go to midnight mass. Afterwards we would come home, often mom would have posole or a pot of beans to eat with tortillas or if we were real lucky, sopapillas. That night we could open one gift, usually from an aunt or uncle (remind me to talk about this some time). Christmas morning we would wake our parents, then we could get into our stockings while the grownups got organized. Santa always left one big present, often unwrapped, under the tree. Christmas day was always a casual day, spent munching on snacks and spending time with the family.

   

  When hubby and I got married, his traditions and my traditions mixed to become our traditions. Many of them were similar. We still light the candles on our advent wreath. Hubby  does the lights on the tree, and Ducky, Squirt and I put on the decorations. Each year I buy the girls a new ornament, something that describes what they were interested in that year. Last year Squirt got a Starbucks coffee cup, and Ducky got a cell phone ornament. This year they each got a converse that they are going to paint, then we’ll add the year and their names.I like to think about them taking their ornaments to start their own Christmas decorating traditions.  We also get a new family ornament each year. Last year we got one with reindeer paddling an outrigger that had every one’s name on it and Mele Kalikimaka. We also got hubby one commemorating his years in the AF. For this year we picked up a great hot air balloon ornament at the Balloon Fiesta. We love looking at each ornament and talking about the stories. Biscochitos are a family affair (with hubby doing more than his fair share of taste testing), although this year Squirt got ambitious and made two batches solo — and dang were they good! We do Christmas baking and it still includes fudge. We still go to Midnight mass. Santa still leaves one big present.

   

  Christmas eve the girls get to open one present. In the morning they may open their stockings, but nothing else until the grown ups get it together. All the stockings always have a chocolate orange, and hubby always gets After Eight mints. Then, after we have had sufficient caffeine the mayhem may begin. A tradition that Hubby brought to the family is breakfast of “Egg in the Hole  or Toad in the Hole”. We’ve done away with Posole (never liked the stuff), but maintain the casual feeling of the day.

   

  Christmas is one of those holidays that just begs for loads and loads of traditions, but the ones I am most connected with are those that bring my family together. Whether it be baking, decorating, praying, or giving, as long as we are together, and recognize the magic inherent in the season, any tradition is good with me.

   

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  Kween_of_the_Queens

   

  Letter to Santa:

   

  Dear Santa,

   

  I know that I’ve pushed the boundaries of nice this year. While I take responsibility for my behavior and my actions, I hope that you consider the mitigating factors of hormones that drive me to be completely irrational, emotional and unpredictable at times. I’ve tried to control this to the best of my ability, but when it’s 37 degrees outside and I’m still sleeping with no covers, I’m sure you can understand the stress of that! I have been a good girl for most of the time and hope you’ll find the good outweighs the bad.

   

  I don’t want much for Christmas. Oh sure I’d love lots and lots of lovely goodies like a kitchenaide mixer, or better yet a house of our own. But what I’m asking for this year is much bigger than that.

   

  While I recognize that the world has many problems, and their are many folks out there who desperately need help, I’m going to ask that  you grant my family some peace this Christmas season. There is so much hurt and worry, fear and anger, heartache and love right now in my family. Tears are not good for Christmas, and I hope that you can find a way to help us heal and find some peace. That is what I want more than anything else in the world right now.

   

  Thanks Santa, and have a very Merry Christmas!

   

  P.S. – A winning lottery ticket wouldn’t hurt.

  • 1:22 am
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