Do you ever feel that let down the day after Christmas? I know when I was little it was a BIG let down. The anticipation for the big day had built until you could no longer stand it, then in a snap it's all over and you have to wait a whole year until its here again. I think as Moms the day after Christmas or even Christmas afternoon is time to relax and renew or re-energize. I know that is the way it is with me. After Christmas dinner I "notified" everyone that they were on their own for food for a couple days. I mean really, there were leftovers and we could feed a small country with the Christmas goodies on the counter!!
This was a different year for us. First, it has been downright balmy. Many around here love it, but not me. I want snow for Christmas!!! I'm a retired Army guy's wife for petes sake!! We chose to live here, we like our winters!!! It was not to be and as I was remarking to "celkalee" on my previous post, my Christmas spirit peaked at around Dec. 12 then slowly dwindled. I looked for it everywhere and it did show up here and there but overall I just wasn't feeling it. I feel like we went through all the motions, the shopping, the wrapping, the baking, and don't get me wrong, I am blessed and I know it! I don't take for granted anything in my life. I am truly one fortunate lady. I have a loving husband, my Mother shares our home and works side by side with me, I have two healthy and happy grown boys. My brothers and sister are just a facetime away. Life is good and each moment that I started to feel a moment's doubt about my "Christmas spirit" I reminded myself of it.
This was a different year for us. First, it has been downright balmy. Many around here love it, but not me. I want snow for Christmas!!! I'm a retired Army guy's wife for petes sake!! We chose to live here, we like our winters!!! It was not to be and as I was remarking to "celkalee" on my previous post, my Christmas spirit peaked at around Dec. 12 then slowly dwindled. I looked for it everywhere and it did show up here and there but overall I just wasn't feeling it. I feel like we went through all the motions, the shopping, the wrapping, the baking, and don't get me wrong, I am blessed and I know it! I don't take for granted anything in my life. I am truly one fortunate lady. I have a loving husband, my Mother shares our home and works side by side with me, I have two healthy and happy grown boys. My brothers and sister are just a facetime away. Life is good and each moment that I started to feel a moment's doubt about my "Christmas spirit" I reminded myself of it.
Sometimes I think we have these preconceived notions of how Christmas "should" be. I wrote about this last year, how Christmas' are different now with grown kids. It really is OK that it is different. First off, I have had a VERY busy year with my business and I'm just plain tuckered out. So, the "magic" that Mom's are suppose to make happen for Christmas.........sometimes it's ok to let some things go. Did we need to have yorkshire pudding with our prime rib? I don't even think my husband or boys know what yorkshire pudding is. Really Julie, let some things go, it's going to be ok! So I did and you know what? Grands biscuits are just fine, lol! Boy did I digress, anyway, last night I was reading everyone's posts on facebook. Most showed their beautiful trees that were loaded with gifts and their families, so wonderful! But then there were some that told of going to help serve food to the needy, or there were those were just going to spend the day quilting or doing what they loved to do. Sometimes those little luxuries alone are a gift! It actually warmed me to see the different ways people were celebrating the holidays. Their way!! I looked around at all the gifts I received and heard my boys upstairs playing video games, looked at my husband who was napping, saw my mother ogling her gifts and realized, it really is all good, to stop worrying about the "feeling" of Christmas spirit, it was here with me all the time!
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! I'll be back shortly with some pictures......
Until next time.......
11 comments:
I think that sometimes we all wear ourselves out trying to be perfect... so that we don't have the energy left to see what's right in front of us. Now relax and enjoy some slooooooow time! :-)
I was really glad to read this post, because I felt the same way as you! I thought "Oh no, am I *grinching* this year if I don't do XYZ?", or "I really don't feel like pulling out all the Christmas decorations this year!". I too was rather tired by the time mid Dec hit.. it took a lot to make it until the big day. :) But my little family loved and appreciated what I did do, only half the decorations came out, I didn't do a huge dinner this year etc. But we still had fun and enjoyed each other's company.. just the way it should be. And...to counteract the *blahness* of today.. I took my Santa cash and drove two hours to the only shop that sells wool and stitchery goods, & all kinds of *prim* goodness nearest to where I live! Lone Star Mercantile in Fuquay-Varina, NC - oh my did my blahs just sail out the window all the way home with my new goodies! :)
I felt the same way. It's been so warm in Connecticut - just lots of rain and dreariness. Brought out half of the decorations and guess what? Nobody noticed. I'm not experiencing let-down because I never had the "build-up". I wish you and yours a Happy and Healthy New Year. Can't ask for more than that.
I was very glad to read your honest post about the expectations vs the realities of Christmas. Fo our family this year, there was little cheer. Two family members are receiving Hospice care and will pass soon. My sis and I opted for Chinese food for Christmas dinner. No fuss and no clean up. Everybody sat around and talked of family stories and lore, mostly true!
You are right.....I bet your family didn't notice the things you didn't do, but did enjoy the time together. Thanks for sharing Ani!
...and I bet your family stories and lore were all what you needed and in years to come you will look back fondly at how you and your sister got through it. I am very sorry to hear about your family members. You will be in my thoughts.
It is really hard sometimes, us Moms are the ones who make the magic happen. Like I said to another commenter, your family probably didn't notice that only half the decorations weren't there, they were just happy to be all together. You and yours have a joyous New Year as well!
Yes! Tomorrow is Sunday and I love Sunday's! Football and punching in my chair. It was nice to have the weekend after Christmas to re-energize!
Loved your post you said out loud what I've been feeling....our house is under major remodel so no Christmas decorations or tree but we still had a wonderful time being together is what is the most important......lesson learned
After the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Christmas, I finally take a few days to enjoy it all AFTER Christmas. It's like I can finally breathe and take some time just for me.
Your Christmas sounded wonderful ~ being with family is the best gift of all.
Happy New Year ~
Lauren
Beautiful post. It's funny how things change. I remember always wishing for my "own" Christmas instead of always having to go to my Mom and Dad's. Then after my mom passed away my kids really felt the sadness of not going to Grandmas any more. Times change and so do our traditions. Now I'm the Mom's house everyone goes to.
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