Like so many of you, I’ve been fully immersed in holiday preparations for what seems like years. I guess it’s only been weeks, but it sure seems longer. Now that we are approaching the 11th hour, I am excited to celebrate with my family. To see the Punks pass out the gifts they have carefully chosen or made. I am happy to be able to attend Christmas Mass at our own church. I am looking forward to seeing my kids celebrate Santa’s generosity.
But I confess now that there is something else. A stress, a weight, an off-key note in the Christmas carol. It’s been gnawing at me for days. It’s a bit about the details of travel and of shopping and preparing and cleaning and packing up my family to rush around from house to house and even state to state so that we may joyously revel in the joy of the season. (Cough).
Last night, I was out shuffling through the last minute shopping, disgusted by the selection and my lack of inspiration. I was grumbling about running this way and that to see my family and my in-laws and my friends, when my phone rang.
It was my mom, and in an uncharacteristic act she lifted the weight and quieted the chaos. She thanked me for the efforts that I make and the person that I am. She told me to relax.
It brought back the spirit. It did. And in that spirit, I hope that today you will lighten someone’s load. That you will thank them and let them know that you recognize and appreciate their efforts. That what they do really does matter. Hokey? Sure. But it sure felt a whole lot better when I laid my head on my pillow last night.
by Megin Hatch
[tags]Christmas, spirit, feelings, holidays, others, discouraged, encouraged, mother’s love, comfort, support[/tags]
Photos graciously provided by TIO…, through a Creative Commons license, some rights reserved
3 responses so far ↓
Stu Mark // Dec 19, 2007 at 11:02 am
Hey Meg, thanks for working so hard on GNMParents and for being such a uniquely supportive friend.
Dawn // Dec 20, 2007 at 9:36 pm
Meg, that is so wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
Ginger // Dec 23, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Megan, thanks for the reminder. I’m so glad the surprising lift came from your mom — how perfect is that? Being grateful and letting others know you are grateful for them — that really is the spirit of the season. I look forward to hearing how the big day goes for YOU.
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