It all started with, “Are you ready for Christmas?” My brain went into overdrive and again I was paralyzed by too many thoughts at once. The things I LOVE about Christmas are the same things I HATE about Christmas.
I’m going try to make this a “12 of the same things I love and hate about Christmas thing” in the spirit of the 12 Days of Christmas Song. So here goes my Brain Dump.
The First Day of Christmas
I Love that people TRY to be kind to or to do things for others that they don’t normally take the time to do. Many people get in the “spirit” of volunteering. I Love the Spirit of Christmas, but I hate that it only happens one day a year. Why aren’t people nice to other people every day? Why don’t people have that SPIRIT EVERY SINGLE DAY?!?!?
The Second Day of Christmas
Gift giving. When I was younger, I used to love giving gifts. As a child, I loved making those horrible little crafts for my parents and friends. Once I got a job, I was happy to be able to purchase things for my friends and parents that they would not normally have spent the time or money on for themselves. Then I had children. I loved the joy they had looking at all the presents under the tree, thinking that for at least one moment in their lives I was able to make everything perfect. Not because I had spent $100’s of dollars, they would have been happy with just a box at that age. Then the hate part kicked in. Somehow gift giving became a requirement and/or stressful. The gifts became more expensive and then the kids just wanted gift cards or money. My parents on the other hand wouldn’t let me buy them presents. They started saying sensible shit like, “I have everything I need”, or “What we would really like is more time with you”. Damn parents always raising that “How to be a good person bar”….grrrrrr
The Third Day of Christmas
The other side of the coin. The negative nelly’s come out of the woodwork. Comments like, “Seriously, you’re putting up your tree in October” start appearing all over social media. If you have done that, do me a favor and ask yourself “Why do you care?” Are you angry that someone is excited and wants to celebrate? Don’t get me wrong, I have thought that October is maybe a bit early, but that is MY OPINION. I don’t go slamming people on Facebook about it. YAH YOU!!!! In reality, I wish people had a reason to be happy everyday, so I will just be happy for you that putting up your tree in October makes you happy.
The Fourth Day of Christmas
Family Time. I love spending time with my family. I love that some companies give their employees time off to spend time with their families. I HATE that some people don’t have a family to spend time with, and that they only time some people are able to make the time to see their families is on Christmas.
The Fifth Day of Christmas
I HATE that I won’t be able to spend Christmas with my grandmother this year. She was my favorite person in the entire world. (even smarter than my parents 😉 ) I miss her everyday. I LOVE that I had such an incredible person in my life, and that I have so many wonderful memories with her. I even loved that she called me “Awwwsshhhluck”. I have no idea how to spell that or what it actually means, but she thought it meant “shithead” or troublemaker in German, so I will stick with that.
The Sixth Day of Christmas
This is a lot of work, I don’t think I am going to continue counting days. Before I climb off my soapbox though, I have a favor to ask of anyone reading this. Please remember that everyone is different and has their own experiences with the holidays, some good some bad. If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything please. In return, I am offering everyone a gift of my time. If you are feeling sad or lonely, or just need to vent give me a shout out. I hope everyone enjoys their Holidays! Again, if you are struggling I am here. I can’t promise to fix it, but you won’t be alone. …
MS Graceful...NOT! 