So it begins

November. How did November happen so quickly? Weren’t we just moaning about summer weather? The other morning the County awoke to a blanket of snow. I know I shouldn’t enjoy seeing snow in the middle of November, but somehow it makes things feel peaceful. Peaceful is good.

For years, I would cringe when the jacko- lanterns got tossed onto the compost heap—because the very next thing to think about was Christmas. Christmas is the time of year when I should have been filled with good cheer and happiness, but instead I became depressed and cranky. November and December meant Christmas cards, baking, shopping and worrying. I worried about spending too much. I worried about not buying enough. I worried about missing someone on the gift and card list. I worried about eating too much. I worried about drinking too much. I worried about driving in the snow, during those times when we couldn’t afford snow tires. I worried about uprooting the kids to spend the holidays in Toronto, in a flurry of family visits, excesses and meltdowns. I worried about facing the bank and credit card statements in January. I did, however, look forward to that moment of peace, when the stores finally closed on Christmas Eve, and nothing more could be spent, baked, wrapped, packed, decorated or stuffed. In every photograph of those Christmases, I looked happy enough. But I was in turmoil. Christmas felt like a competition. And then? Well, and then we stopped the crazy train, got off and started to enjoy everything the season had to offer.

LOML and I stopped shopping for gifts, and started making gifts to give. We started baking cookies to share with family and friends. We made an effort to invite family over for games nights and potluck. We started hosting a tree/parade party for the brothers and the others with prizes for the worst and best Christmas socks or sweaters. We got together to watch cheesy movies and eat popcorn. We fired up the guitars, ukuleles and keyboards for a carol sing. If you know my brothers—and most of you don’t—you would know how much fun a carol sing could be with them.

This year, we don’t dread the arrival of the holiday season. We are looking forward to having 10 people and two dogs help us decorate the tree. This year’s parade/tree weekend will not be as crowded as usual. The girls—and their big dogs—are in Shiloh, and the trip home for a weekend is costly and complicated. They will miss the gingerbread house decorating competition —boys against the girls. I’m usually the judge but we may have to call in the neighbours for the final decision. What’s five more people at a party? The winners won’t have to wash dishes on Saturday evening. Since we don’t have a dishwasher, there could be a joyous mountain of dirty plates, glasses and cookware.

Let the Festive-Holiday-Christmas-Festivus- Kwanzaa season begin.

theresa@wellingtontimes.ca