Christmas Joy

The Monday after Halloween, I walked into Wal-Mart looking forward to finding a post-holiday bargain or two. When I couldn't find the aisle with the marked down stash, I asked an associate where the leftovers might be. She told me that everything had already been put away, as I watched several other associates bringing out carloads of Christmas to add to the bucketloads that were already on the shelves. GRRRR! Was my first thought. It wasn't even comfortably into November, let alone past Thanksgiving and already we were being barraged with Christmas. I was suddenly stressed at the vision of all I had to accomplish in the next four weeks.

Later though a thought of a different sort occurred to me as I passed a house who, just after Halloween had put up the Christmas lights and hung the wreathe on the door. What is it about Christmas that makes people want to start celebrating so early? Is there more to doing it than the commercialism I saw at Wal-Mart that day? I've decided that there is.

The joy that is felt and found at Christmas is like no other time of the year. We want it to be, we sing about keeping the spirit of Christmas in our hearts all year, but we forget by New Year's what all that was about and go on with our lives. So starting early I think is people's way of getting as much out of the holiday joy as they can. It didn't used to be that way, because it didn't have to be. The pressures of the world continue to be turned up and life is busy and hectic and hard. Yes it's wondeful too, but the special kind of wonderful that is only found at Christmas is much further from everyday than it used to be.

So, I'm ready for Christmas. Thanksgiving is done and December is tomorrow! We've already had some carols playing from CD players in the house. We'll start putting up decorations tomorrow, and I'm excited. Don't remember feeling excited like this in a while. It's wonderful!

The First Post

I've been thinking about starting a blog for a while, one that I can monopolize the time and space with my own thoughts and experiences, and not feel like I'm disappointing people who clicked in hoping to hear and read and see our family activities. I hope that what I might say in posts to come is of some benefit. I speak for no one other than myself, and am not an official representative of any other group or organization.

So here I am. Now I'm faced with how and where to start. Since it's Thanksgiving week, and I've already had several lists of "things I'm thankful for" appear in my inbox, this seems like a logical place. Admittedly, I'm a little behind in making a list associated with Thanksgiving (I've been busy pouring over my Christmas lists however ~ food, gifts, errands ~ so much to keep track of!). But, even tho I'm late to the game, we'll focus on how I'm here now.

First things that come to mind when I think of blessings and opportunities for gratitude:
* Family. I've said this one before, but this year it means more than it has. I look around the room when we're all together and marvel at the sight. Those five people who are here because of me, and what wonders they are. And that big guy who helped me do it. Wow.
* Health. This is the place I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about the past several weeks. Thirteen in fact. Thirteen weeks ago today Emily was born and so started my recovery from the ravages of pregnancy and a very rough delivery. I'm amazed at the body's ability to heal. Just the other day I was walking up the stairs without using the handrail. Weeks before I relied on that railing and held on for dear life. DEAR LIFE. I had to plan my trips up and down the stairs. I couldn't sit let alone stand for very long. I couldn't take long steps, but instead shuffled around because stretching my middle was a big no no thing. I have recently been striding with pride and again, amazement. I so appreciate being able to sleep on my sides now, and my body pillow that makes doing so even better. I do love all my pillows. Kurt included. I'm grateful to just feel good. Not tired, not timing my life around the next time I'd get to lay down or rest. To have energy. To get to do things and not have to rely on everyone else to do them for me. Just last Sunday I was able to cross my legs for the first time without any discomfort. Incredible! Now it's time to take feeling good a step further and take care of this body that has healed. Time to release some body clutter.

I plan to make a list of details that I'm thankful for ~ electricity, a washing machine, marshmellows ~ but these are the two big ones for now.