Christmas time is very different for different people.. Some people reminisce of how it used to be compared to how it is now... How Christmas was when they were an only child, when they were warned about playing nice with their siblings because the big man is always watching, good old (and some REALLY old) holiday shows lit up the thick TV at night... And more.. Presenting a FLASH BACK!!!!
Then...
Once upon a time twenty plus years ago
I looked out a window as it started to snow
The month was December, it was very cold
I was just a young kid, not at all very old
Calendar dates meant nothing to me
It was all about the gifts under my Christmas tree
You know the REAL tree with the pines that would poke?
Like it was guarding the gifts and it was no joke!
With the tinsel and garland and bulbs made of glass
And if one of them shattered then mom spanked my.. well...
Nativity scenes sat nice on the shelf
Rudolph on TV with his annoying nosed self
Write a note by myself, sealed with a kiss
Asking Santa for the things that I wish
Pop it in the mailbox and wait for the day
I would hear those jingle bells up on his sleigh
Helping mom make cookies while sneaking a few
Think about sneaking a peek in the presents too
Being told he can see me all day and all night
That I better be good, no peeking! All RIGHT!
Drive by Christmas lights, Mom says "Oooh" and "Ahh"
By the tenth lit up house it's like "Blah, blah, blah, blah!"
Go to the big Christmas wonderland store
Get in line to see Santa, he's right through the door
I've been good, at least mostly, most of the year
That's what I whisper into Santa's right ear
He says he's sure I'll get something good
As long as I behave like little girls should
I was nice, very helpful, and oh so polite
Then FINALLY came that Christmas Eve night
I tried very hard to stay up to see
Just what Santa was bringing to me
Singing the words to his very own song
But I never could keep my eyes open long
Then morning would come and I'd run to see
All the wonderful gifts stashed under the tree
We'd go to Church then we'd go to see
Grandma and Grandpa and more family
The day filled with laughter, food, gifts and glee
That's what Christmas was like back then for me...
FLASH FORWARD!
Now...
November is over and December is here
The most chaotic, hectic time of the year
People go crazy, roads and stores are all jammed
Even the ten items or less line is slammed
Drag the tree up from it's big storage box
Feels like dragging a big tub of rocks
Get it all set up and finally trimmed
Are you kidding me? A whole strand of lights are now dimmed!
Fund raisers, bell ringers and the schools Christmas play
It seems like there's SOMETHING going on every day
Holiday photos! Should I send Christmas cards?
Why, now, does Christmas seem so freaking hard!
"Mom I want this" "Mom can I have that?"
"Mom can I please get that cute little cat?"
"No", "Be good", "He's watching!", "We'll see..."
Seems to be said QUITE OFTEN by me..
Limited quantity, buy one get one free!
It's always the first one when it comes to ME!
I get shopping done then finish up wrapping
It's a wonder I don't spend good chunks of days napping!
"Can we see Santa? I've finished my letter!
Sending it's good, giving it to him is better."
Drive by Christmas lights all lit up outside
My kids "Oooh" and "Ahh.." for most of the ride
Bake Christmas cookies and pretend not to see
When the kids sneak a few just like young me
Go to see Santa, they are excited not shy
They now leave with a smile instead of a cry
"How many days mom? Never mind, I'll go see!"
As I sit and stare at our nice lit up tree
Christmas shows every night, some new and some old
Different stories being read, heard and told
Old traditions with a few that we've started
Everyone being so nice and kind hearted
Sure, it's a stress compared to old days
Like it was for my parents in a few different ways
But they hid all that stress and all I could see
Was how this time of year was so special to me
I follow their lead and hide it quite well
So my kids will have their own stories to tell
of when THEY were young and how sweet it could be
to simply enjoy the holiday glee...
Of course very different from I was young
But the holiday season can still be quite fun
Don't dwell on the crazies, the headaches or stress
And always try to make every Christmas the best...
Quite a difference right??? From being a carefree, snow loving child just waiting for that big day to being the parent who has to fight the crowd, bake the cookies, decorate the house, buy the gifts, make the dinner, and make sure that the kids have the time of their life. You know why it's important for that last part? Because when THEY get older and have to do everything for THEIR families, you can sit back and say... "I know..." when they look at you with that overwhelmed, in over my head, I can't believe you did this for us all back then kind of look... "Yup.. been there, done that.. I know.." :) I'm sure my parents think that when I call and tell them of my holiday craziness!!! Here's to the beginning of a hopefully wonderful season!!!! -Super Mom
