Counting down to Christmas was always fun. Mom would come in and say, "Only ten more days and a wake-up until Christmas morning!"
Nine more days and a wake-up.
Eight more days and a wake-up.
With each day, the anticipation would build just a bit more, culminating in a fever pitch on Christmas Eve. The 23rd was Grandmama's birthday party at Charlie's Steak House, with the most incredible steak in existence, followed by a single sample of Dad's annual gift (the 23rd was his birthday, too) of a box of Andes chocolate mints. And polished off with the free Tootsie Roll at the door. The 24th was Christmas Eve party at Grandmama's house. All of the sugar and candy imaginable, and the first salvo of opened presents.
Then the ride home, where we would watch out the window for any chance sighting of Santa.
Finally, the glorious wake-up.
The countdowns are fewer these days, with more stress piling up as I strike through items on my ever-expanding list.
Present for wife, check.
Rake the leaves that fell since I last raked, check. Kinda.
Plants on the porch for the winter, check.
Visqueen up on porch to help protect plants (especially important with the coming 70 degree temperatures), check.
Report draft, check.
The countdowns are now about getting things done before, rather than looking forward to something with anticipation. Work lists that are getting ticked off, gift lists that are getting ticked off, me getting ticked off, and the countdown to a Merry Christmas just seems to lack some of the anticipation of days of yore.
But...
But this year, my sister and my mom are coming to spend Christmas at my house. They are flying on Christmas day, and will be arriving in Jackson around noon. I then get a week of showing them around my town, doing all of the things I love. Things that usually get put off, because I am making these lists, and checking the items off. Sometimes twice (those thrice-blasted leaves!)
And I have found myself excited for Christmas. Looking forward with great anticipation for the time when at least part of my family is together. Counting down the days.
Texting my sister each morning, "Three more days and a wake-up." And today:
"Two more days and a wake-up."
May your Christmas be filled with the love of family, and the joy of advent. The excitement and anticipation of the arrival of the babe in a manger.
Merry Christmas, y'all.
Nine more days and a wake-up.
Eight more days and a wake-up.
With each day, the anticipation would build just a bit more, culminating in a fever pitch on Christmas Eve. The 23rd was Grandmama's birthday party at Charlie's Steak House, with the most incredible steak in existence, followed by a single sample of Dad's annual gift (the 23rd was his birthday, too) of a box of Andes chocolate mints. And polished off with the free Tootsie Roll at the door. The 24th was Christmas Eve party at Grandmama's house. All of the sugar and candy imaginable, and the first salvo of opened presents.
Then the ride home, where we would watch out the window for any chance sighting of Santa.
Finally, the glorious wake-up.
The countdowns are fewer these days, with more stress piling up as I strike through items on my ever-expanding list.
Present for wife, check.
Rake the leaves that fell since I last raked, check. Kinda.
Plants on the porch for the winter, check.
Visqueen up on porch to help protect plants (especially important with the coming 70 degree temperatures), check.
Report draft, check.
The countdowns are now about getting things done before, rather than looking forward to something with anticipation. Work lists that are getting ticked off, gift lists that are getting ticked off, me getting ticked off, and the countdown to a Merry Christmas just seems to lack some of the anticipation of days of yore.
But...
But this year, my sister and my mom are coming to spend Christmas at my house. They are flying on Christmas day, and will be arriving in Jackson around noon. I then get a week of showing them around my town, doing all of the things I love. Things that usually get put off, because I am making these lists, and checking the items off. Sometimes twice (those thrice-blasted leaves!)
And I have found myself excited for Christmas. Looking forward with great anticipation for the time when at least part of my family is together. Counting down the days.
Texting my sister each morning, "Three more days and a wake-up." And today:
"Two more days and a wake-up."
May your Christmas be filled with the love of family, and the joy of advent. The excitement and anticipation of the arrival of the babe in a manger.
Merry Christmas, y'all.
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