I’ve started listening to Christmas music. It isn’t even Thanksgiving yet. I’m like the Super Store that pulled the Halloween Candy off the shelf, discounted it, and filled it with Christmas goodies before kids even hung up their costumes.
My husband brought the blow-up 8 foot Turkey decoration out of the basement the other day. “Want it in the same place as last year?” he asked trying to balance the paper mache pumpkins and harvest wreaths for the door all in his arms.
“Not this year. I’m really just ready for Christmas,” I quipped.
At the office, my co-workers busied themselves making a list for our office turkey dinner. “What do you want to bring?” they asked, looking over at me for a response.
“Why not just plan for the Christmas party?” I suggested, “I found some really fun recipes! I can make candied Christmas trees out of Peanut Butter cups!”
There’s just something about this year.
I want to feel the wonder of Christmas. I want to get to the lights. I want to see the gifts wrapped and under the decorated tree. I want to hear the jingle of bells and the stockings on my mantle.
Can we just get to Christmas?
Sometimes in life we find ourselves anxious to get where we want to go; to be in a place that’s far better than we are now; or to travel back to a time we once enjoyed. Sometimes “now” just isn’t enough.
My grandmother could find the best in “now.” Each day was an opportunity to get it right – “a do over” as she would call them. If we were out of milk she’d reply, “It gives us a chance to use something else.” If we were late, “There was something different we needed to see.” If someone didn’t like her, “Well, she is missing out on having a really good friend in me.” If something was lost or stolen, “I guess someone needed it more than I did.” If she didn’t get something she wanted, “I’m sure there is something much better.”
Some of us, in wanting to get to the better, are missing the now.
This week enjoy your family and friends. Savor the time of preparation. Smell the turkey in the oven and pumpkin pies waiting to be eaten. Laugh; take a long walk; read a book; sip a cup of coffee. Time is fleeting. Seconds come one at a time.
Enjoy right where you are, right now. Tomorrow comes soon enough.
