'Tis the Season

My hand-me-down skinny space saving pre-lit Christmas tree is up and decorated. The Princess' table top pre-lit tree is in her room and decorated. The few Christmas decorations I own are scattered around the living room and dining room. There are two stockings hung on the stair rail instead of the usual three. This year's holiday card will be sent via email to help make the season more "green" and to save me some money (and because I have no idea how to not awkwardly send a card without Hubs' name on it). The weather is warmer than usual and there will be no holiday bonus to help buy Christmas presents.

This year Christmas is a bit harder to get excited about.

We have already watched Frosty the Snowman 15 times since I pulled the DVD out of storage. The Princess has torn out a picture of what she wants for christmas and posted it on the fridge. She has gotten her first cold of the season which I will inevitably get in a few days. Family get togethers and the visitation schedule is filling up the calendar.

It is easy to feel overwhelmed which is causing me to feel a bit "Grinch-ish."

Then I think about the morning Princess D came down stairs and saw the Christmas tree decorated. She looked at it with wide eyes, then a big smile lit up her face before she ran at me full speed throwing her arms around my leg. She squeezed as tight as she could and said "Thank you, Mama! I love it!"



My heart melts every time I think about that moment. It reminds me why this season is so special. The magic Santa represents to a child (and parents ... nothing improves behavior as quickly as "I will tell Santa how you are being naughty"). It is all about making the magic real for Princess D and through her it will become real for me too.

I do love Christmas. The feeling you get when someone opens the gift you got them and it is exactly what they needed but would never buy for themselves is better than receiving a present. The season is about giving without expectation of getting something back. Giving because you care. Giving because there is someone who is in more need than you. I just wish Santa could give me the gift I need this year.