No, I am not a bah hum bug, but I do get discouraged when the true
spirit of the holiday is no longer recognized because it's about the
latest trends and outdoing your neighbors and friends. Because I get
discouraged when people are so selfish, mostly young people, I go out
of my way to accommodate others as a way to release the sadness.
Growing up with nearly nothing and Christmas being no exception, I
appreciate all I recieve, but I get much more joy out of giving than I
ever have receiving.
Christmas Eve Iz's daughter and family
were over for Christmas dinner and gift exchange. I occupied my time
with cooking most of the meal and then feeding the little one and
hugging and cooing the baby while everyone enjoyed their meal and idle
chit chat. I truly believe her daughter appreciates whatever she is
given, but her husband is another story. From the time they walked in
the door until they left, everything was about him. Within 10 minutes
he was already bitching at her about things unrelated to us or the
holiday. I had to bite my tongue for a few hours. He spent his time
bitching and whining at Iz's daughter and taking all he could. Things
like this really make me lose my holiday spirit because for me it has
never been about the gifts or who gets the biggest or the most. Yes,
presents are nice to get and enjoy. Getting things we like makes us all
happy, whether a holiday or not, but to the extreme that $$$ is the
only thing to make you happy then something is seriously wrong. They
being a young couple couldn't afford much, but it would never be an issue for Iz and myself.
Along with the gifts, she gave us a Christmas card and because she is a
hair stylist, she wrote that she was also gifting us a "do" whenever we
were ready. Later as they were leaving, she said she couldn't afford
much but the one thing she can do is something she knows and that is
hair. What an awesome thought, as I always try to do, give a gift of
myself. For those few sentences, I felt truly blessed. They went to a
work Christmas party so we had the grand kids over night on the 23rd
and all day yesterday until their parents arrived for dinner. That was
the highlight of the holiday getting to play with them and laugh.
We
gathered everything up for them to take home and the kids' things and
had it all packed by the door. Her hubby grabbed most of the stuff and
the grand daughter and as they were heading out the door he said for
her to say bye. No thank you's for anything, not even for dinner or for
having the kids while he went to his company party. We were not
surprised, but you'd think one would gain a little respect as you grow
up. We had to go out to the vehicle to say goodbye to Iz's grand
daughter and from the front seat he said.. "oh, thanks for dinner". I
said "you're welcome", but I am not the asshole he is and I couldn't
say anything with the young children there.
Here it is Christmas
Day and I am focusing on cleaning the kitchen as it is an awful mess.
The rest of us did our gift thing this morning and it's all been said
and done. It's a quiet day as we're all doing our own thing and
enjoying it, but about ready to have a plate of left overs soon.
I will also look forward to tearing down all the decorations in the
next day or two and doing the clean up and move on to another page in
our life.
I keep hoping for that one holiday when people
appreciate the the things one does for them and not make it all about
what costs the most or which parent or grandparent did the most for
them in the monetary department.
A sincere Merry Christmas
from my heart to yours... to all of you.... Even to those who do not
celebrate Christmas, I too wish you a love filled day.