Wow, it's hard to believe that I'm setting up my calendar for the end of the year already. It seems like just yesterday that we rang in the new year with everyone up in Mentone.
So we're gearing up for the full swing of the holidays, which includes plans for the 384 hours between now and the end of Christmas day. We've had a steady stream of events since the weekend before Thanksgiving and it's not letting up any time soon. More pour in with each phone call and email I receive. I figure by breaking it up into hours I can pack as much of my normal stuff into the days in addition to the extra time with friends and family and co-workers and people I don't know at Christmas parties that I may or may not really want to go to. So far, it's not working and I'm losing the battle. It seems no matter how you look at it, 16 days is just 16 days. However, I'm loving it all just the same. I've tried new things this year and I'm better prepared. I've been involved in a Holiday Bible study that probably can take some of the credit for that preparedness. Some can go to Dave Ramsey for shaming me into the realization that Christmas comes at the same time on the same day with the same expectations every year (...really? because sometimes it sneaks up on me and I wonder what in the heck just happened and was I supposed to be aware of this happening? Christmas Ninja style...)
Anyway, as many parents of young children can relate to, now that Clare is two and talking and mostly potty trained the holidays have a new tone. There is excitement. There is freedom (oh the blessed pull up, thank you Jesus, and I'm not being sarcastic). There are classic cartoons and Christmas movies. There are Christmas carols in the car. There are Christmas decorations to delight in. There are ho-ho-ho's to be said and jingle bells to be rung. Toys are secondary to all that is going on. Seeing Christmas through the eyes of a two year old is an awakening experience. IT'S SO AWESOME.
So here I am at the same time this year in the same place as last year marveling at the wonder of life and soaking up the Christmas holidays like never before and so full of gratitude and humility for the life we've been given. Who knows, maybe I'll even play the piano again this holiday season.