THREE DAYS LEFT UNTIL CHRISTMAS DAY!!! OK, things are a little hectic out there. In fact, it is getting down-right crazy! I want you to close your eyes, take a deep breath, slowly breathe it out, beathe in again, let it out. Now go to your "happy place" and read this whole post with (1) a glass of hot tea, or (2) a cup of cafe latte, or (3) two valium tablets with water, or (4) a jug of Templeton Rye! All right, all right, I'm only kidding about #3 and #4 Just try to have a sense of humor! It is time for us wild grandmas to exhibit not-so-crazy behavior for our little ones this frenetic season. I realized a few days ago that the American culture is in deep "do-do" during the holidays. My hubby and I had some shopping to do at the largest mall in our area. As we were squinting our eyes trying to find a parking place closer than 2 football fields away, I saw a sight I had never before seen at a parking mall:
CRAZY MAN PARKS PICK-UP TRUCK AT 135 DEGREE ANGLE ON "AISLE BOULEVARD" AND TIPPING DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO BUSY STREET!!!
This guy has to be stressed to the MAX! He must have had a nasty quarrel with his boss, his wife burnt his dinner, and he has all his Christmas shopping to do and no idea what to buy! What could be worse for the male gender???
When you find yourself at the mall, sit down in one of the FEW chairs available and just study people's faces as they pass you by. How many of them look happy? How many of them look downright disgusted? Or how many of them are tired, stressed out? I find that most are the latter. So many of us become so entangled in the materialistic aspects of the holiday that we can hardly wait until January 1 hits. I confess I feel that way many times. I become so wrapped up with what each one of my twelve grandkids have to have for a gift that it becomes drudgery.
Let's go back to our "happy place." Let's think about what Christmas represents. These images come to my mind!!!
This guy has to be stressed to the MAX! He must have had a nasty quarrel with his boss, his wife burnt his dinner, and he has all his Christmas shopping to do and no idea what to buy! What could be worse for the male gender???
When you find yourself at the mall, sit down in one of the FEW chairs available and just study people's faces as they pass you by. How many of them look happy? How many of them look downright disgusted? Or how many of them are tired, stressed out? I find that most are the latter. So many of us become so entangled in the materialistic aspects of the holiday that we can hardly wait until January 1 hits. I confess I feel that way many times. I become so wrapped up with what each one of my twelve grandkids have to have for a gift that it becomes drudgery.
Let's go back to our "happy place." Let's think about what Christmas represents. These images come to my mind!!!
JOY
Joy is being with loved ones -- those in our hearts as well as those we can touch, talk to, and share in each others' lives. Sitting around a beautifully decorated table with those we love is ultimate joy. One tradition our family enjoys having with these special dinners is a "question of the night." My husband will announce the question before the meal begins to give everyone time to think about what to say. Questions like, "What is your favorite Christmas memory?" or "If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?" Our children and grandchildren love the discussions these questions bring.
Another image that comes to mind which is in direct opposition to stress:
PEACE
The angels represent "peace." They announced the baby Jesus with pronouncements of peace! Isn't that what we all desire? Peace among the nations? I hate war! Innocent children being hurt or even killed. We desire peace within our families. As moms and grandmas, we hate it when our kids fight and hurt one another with words or physical attacks. We want peace with God, peace in human relationships. I believe that someday we will see peace!!
And the ultimate Christmas image is........
NATIVITY BY ARTIST BETSY PETERSON
LOVE
Love is the greatest gift of all! The nativity embodies the ultimate gift....LOVE! Think of God, think of his love for you. Isn't it remarkable? Love is why we put up with all our grandkids' antics!!! We love unconditionally, just like God loves us. Whoa....what a gift. I want to think on these things: joy, peace and love. It's hard, but I am going to refuse to stress and focus on those things money cannot buy.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOD BLESS!!!!
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