The Real Magic of Christmas

They are off and running.

Everywhere!

“They” is a collection of various nouns. Let’s start off with the basketball and wrestling teams! Now with a weekend under the belts or at least out of the way, the nerves can begin to settle down and the jitters can dash away.

Unless you’re a little kid with your gallant pageant pending. For some, this is their first, for some it is their last. Yeah, and some are glad when it will be over. Kids, that is…not teachers! They are waiting for the holiday break all together!

How long has it been since you viewed the Christmas tree from the view of a three or four year old? Did you lose sight as to the meaning of Christmas and become engulfed with details of making it all perfect?

If you haven’t figured it out yet, little kids could care less about perfection. The wonderment in their eyes that dance with the jingle tunes tells one that they believe.

There is a certain heavy feeling in a parent’s heart when the wee ones turn into toddlers and then again, when they really start behaving and acting like little humanoids. Where does the time go? Didn’t we think those younger years would take longer to go through? But then….we are also the ones that thought growing old wouldn’t take so long, either!

As I was typing up the various letters to Santa this year, I was amazed at the different things that kids were asking for in their letters to the white bearded jolly fellow. To be honest, I don’t have a clue what these young ones were asking for. Guess I am old school, our kids all wanted trucks, John Deere combines, 22 shells and boots. I have one daughter that still claims I ruined her life when she got a Cabbage Patch baby that was NOT the original ones.

Every year one can hear people say they are going to focus on the meaning of Christmas…and you meet them with 27 packages making their way out of the post office. That does not include the Amazon orders that are delivered. It is then that the Fed Ex and UPS drivers work til 9-10 p.m. to assure the holiday packages are delivered on time. Last week, a postal worker told me they have between 600 and 800 packages in the local office yet to be picked up!

When it slows down, and people sort through the crinkled wrapping paper looking for any lost pieces before the rumpled papers are history, they will breathe a sigh of relief that it was wonderful. And over.

The real magic of Christmas is the memories. Though I am not a huge fan of Facebook, I do enjoy looking at the “memories” from years past. Not just for Christmas but for the fact that the years have gone by so fast that I easily forget what has happened in my life. It is a wonderful to jog my memory. It also renewed my belief in living life to the fullest. I should have counted how many friends have told me to slow down; how many asked when I was going to write my book; and how many general warnings about being careful. Those things, unfortunately tend to slow you down and then old age and dementia take over. I think I’ll pass.

With this quiet note, I am sending my wishes to all for a Very Merry and Blessed Christmas. Keep the spirit alive in your heart and share it with others.