From the Heart
It’s the most wonderful time of the year …
You know, the holidays, when we seek comfort and joy and fa la la la la. Oh, and don’t forget the Grace!
I make my lists, check them twice and then forget the butter and I make another trip to the grocery. I stand in line with one item behind a line of people who cannot count the number of items in their cart. Express check is not 25 items.
I write out Christmas cards and then realize I have to make my way to the Post Office for stamps. I remember that the new roundabout will make it easier to get there … next year. At this point I am asking for Patience and Grace.
I ask the little ones what they want for Christmas and they plead for the toy that is already “out of stock.” I can get them from a few people who are holding them hostage to the highest bidder. (Yes, I have paid the ransom in the past.)
I ask the teenagers what they hope to find in their stocking and apparently “Beats” (?) are one of the “must haves.” We grandparents may have to pool our money or start a GoFundMe page.
But before we get to the fun of Christmas, let’s talk about Thanksgiving.
I ask my grown up children to get together and figure out when is the best time to all get together. It’s a bit complicated when everyone comes from divorced parents. My son lives here in Noblesville. His family is going to Florida for Thanksgiving. My daughter lives in Florida. Her family is coming here.
Emily and her husband Drew have four parents to visit. Angie and Brandon have four parents to visit. All separately. That makes over the river and through the woods a bit of a challenge when it’s four places to go.
I love having lots of company for Thanksgiving Dinner. While Brandon and Angie and their two youngest will be in Florida, we will have Angie’s mom, Nina, and her brother Michael and his boys and his girlfriend, Kelli and her two boys. Brandon’s two oldest kids will be here. Add in Brandon’s good friend Steve and we will have a full house. A potluck of people I love.
I think our dinner count is 15 including my sweet mama.
My menu is set. My list is made. Now to find a time when everyone else in Noblesville is not at the grocery. Please let me get everything on my list in one trip. I hate sending Chuck back for one more thing.
In a few weeks it will get even more complicated when we host Christmas in Noblesville and in Tampa. No, neither will be on December 25. I will be flying the friendly skies on Christmas along with Santa.
One thing I ask of myself is Grace for not having everything Martha Stewart perfect. The meal, the house and the décor. Close, but not perfect.
I also have learned to give Grace to my children so that they are not stressed about having to be with me at a certain date and time. Christmas may be December 25 but the heart of it is whenever I am with my family … and I get to cook.
On Christmas, all that matters is that I am with my mother. Please, Allegiant Airlines, don’t fail me.