Have you ever had one of those days that you just feel off…like
the whole day is part of a weird dream or that no matter what someone says or
does, it just feels off. That was me today. There was not one thing in
particular that made today feel that way, but a multitude of issue that have
come up throughout the week. Maybe it happens to most people this time of year
with Christmas looming around the corner.
When I was little I remember this being the most magical
time of year, and of course a lot of time off from school. I remember hoping
that I would get the latest toy and that maybe my grandma’s wouldn’t buy me an
ugly sweater (don’t worry, I always got those). Fast forwards 25 years and here
I am already exhausted from the holidays that haven’t even hit yet. Christmas
isn’t about celebrating a time with our family and friends or even remembering
the reason for the season. It’s about trying to divide your time to make everyone
help. It’s about bending to make everyone else happy because it’s just easier
not to put up a fight. This time of year is filled with trying to find the perfect
gifts to make everyone happy and to be honest, it is hard to even find something
that anyone would want less than $25. And don’t get me wrong….my household is
just as bad. We live in an “if they need it, just get it” era and that leaves
little room for our children to “want” for any thing truly. These are no longer
the days of getting socks, underwear, that ugly sweater I was telling you about,
as well as ONE toy. ONE toy that we enjoyed the entire time and were so
thankful to have. Now are the days of children asking why didn’t’ get something
just because they “asked” for it.
This year I made a vow to myself and I have semi stuck to
it. Our kids just had their birthdays and got plenty of gifts for them. This
year, my kids are getting pajamas, new movies, and a new blanket/stuffed
animal. A few puzzles in their stocking and they are done. I have vowed to make
this holiday season a bit different and spreading cheer and happiness without “spoiling”
my children. Mostly because I don’t want them to grow up being so thankless. Not
saying that all kids tend to do this but kids these days “expect” to get the biggest
and the best instead of being grateful for what they have. Unfortunately, some
adults seem to be this way as well. I want my children to be just as grateful
as I was when I grew up knowing that yes Santa was going to bring me a great
gift but I was also going to get some sweet new clothes as well. That Christmas
was a time to get together with family, exchange horribly made Christmas
ornaments because we put our hearts and souls into it. Now it’s much easier just
to get on Amazon and ship something.
After a day of putting way too many pressures on myself to
keep up with Joneses, I sat down and watched as my kids played with the same
two baby dolls that they have been for the last 6 months. This year I will be
thankful that I have a wonderful husband who may have drug me out at 4:30 yesterday
morning to watch deer stay at least 50 yards further than we were able to shoot
but then allowed me to sleep in this morning while he fed the kids. I will be
thankful that I have two healthy kids who most days make me want to pull my
hair out but who I wouldn’t trade for the world. We were once the couple who
would have given our life savings to have a baby (and we damn near did) and I
will be thankful for them every single day! I will be thankful that we have a
nice house, good quality vehicles, and good things that make our house a home.
Things that we have worked so very hard for and I wouldn’t want it any other
way. This year I vow to show my children the real reason of the season and even
though they may not get the latest or the greatest toy, they will get some quality
family time and that in the end is all that matters. To all of you wonderful
people, don’t put too much pressures on yourself this holiday season and I hope
you take the time to enjoy every second! It does go by too fast.
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