C: Holidays Approach!


After Halloween, I always feel like I am in some kind of "home stretch," with the race culminating at Christmas. For some reason, New Year's Eve/Day are a bit anti-climactic. We hustle and bustle for Thanksgiving, picking up speed for Christmas, and then New Year's is a sort of time of rest after the holiday frenzy.

This year is going to be different for me, and I am so looking forward to it. I don't mean to imply that I did not like my Holidays Past. To the contrary, I loved them. We have strong holiday traditions which I may write about in another post. But the last "normal" holiday season we had was in 2007, before my husband took a powder. The past two have been tinged heavily with the flavor of a family in distress. I'm thinking this year will be the first "good" season in several years for my son and me; I can just feel it.

My home was the gathering spot for a lot of my family at Thanksgiving, and I kept my two ovens humming with too much food for this feast day. The last two Thanksgivings have been spent at my brother's home, and those who normally would have been at my house were there, too. His family has their own tradition of gathering with my sister-in-law's family, including out-of-towners and combining Thanksgiving with Christmas. They have a riotous white elephant gift exchange, and the refugees from my Thanksgiving tradition were welcomed there with open arms.

This year, we're coming back to my house, and I'm looking forward to it. I remember two years ago when it was apparent that my husband would not be around. The family pretty much announced that the feast would move to my brother's house. I was devastated. It was the first Thanksgiving that I did not do most of the cooking. I can now relate to older folks who must give up these kinds of duties and how hard it is for them...guess I can look forward to going through that again!! Must keep the torch passing...

But the family was right. I was probably in no condition to host. I mean, who wants a Zombie presiding at table?

This year, after two years of Zombie-ism, I have shaken the Zombie off. I am feeling more emotionally-revived and am anticipating cooking and watching the kids run outside with the dogs and to gathering around my dining table. I'll have both my mother and mother-in-law with me, each contributing to the meal because they, too, love to cook and be a part of that.

And, for the first time in a couple years, I can truly say I am thankful. I can't say I'm living up to the admonition to give thanks in all things, but I'm at least thankful for some of life. Life is looking okay right now; at least good enough that I feel I can tackle challenges instead of them tackling me! I feel like I'm in that stretching phase of waking up after a long sleep. Maybe the holidays are what will bring me completely back.

I can see that this post is rambling much longer than I had intended. I really need to go to work folks, and I've probably passed your attention span, so I'll save the Christmas thoughts for the next... C

Comments

carla said…
'Ramble' as often as you like. I always enjoy it.

Many of my favorite blogs are by young women, but the ones by ladies closer to my age range are really special to me. We have so much history and a different perspective. Goodness, I hope I have a different perspective.

My sister likes to say that she doesn't feel any different than she did at 18. Well, I do and I'm glad of it. Not so glad of the arthritis, but I'm thankful that I don't look at a lot of things the same as when I was young.
carla said…
A minute later and already a caveat:

That may have sounded like age snobbery. What I meant was that I'd like to think that I've learned something from all the vicissitudes of life.

Whew. I think I need a chocolate chip cookie.
Anonymous said…
Dear C, I love you dearly. You are coming back, stronger and stronger. I gave up the Thanksgiving duties last year and my oldest daughter is nor the hostess. She has the oldest grandchildren and they are now bring guests and she feels that makes it had for me. Not really, but I so love to go to my children's home for a big feast. We all bring something, but all of my kids are great cooks. Hope you have a great day.
QMM
Zuzana said…
Beautiful post straight from the heart. I always enjoy the holiday season and I am looking forward to its imminent start.
xoxo
Debbie said…
I found it extremely encouraging. Our little family of four have always missed large family gatherings, but we perservered.
This year I was dreading just a little the fact that our youngest daughter and her husband will be staying in Maine for Christmas. This will be our first without her which leaves us three. I've decided we need to make a few changes in order that the empty seats are not so blatant. Haven't quite decided how, but you give me strength and encouragement to forge ahead.
Thanks, Debbie
Iron Needles said…
It's a wondrous thing for me to look back at the time of deep hurt from a place of healing.

From one who so totally understands.
KathyB. said…
Thank-you Lord for releasing C from zombie-ism! And thank-you Lord for the blessings of a dear Mother, Mother-in-law and son to surround her with love!

A great post C, and although my trials have not included a faithless husband, they did leave me a "zombie" too , so it is probably a good thing you had someone take the reins and host Thanksgiving for while. Now you're BACK! Stronger and more thankful of the gifts God has given you, but I have to say that I have often felt the same...not too good at giving thanks in ALL things.

You are an encouragement to me Sister! Thanks.

P.S. and this is way too long a comment, but I have begun to feel the same regarding giving up , or letting others take over duties and change family traditions..
Michelle said…
Wonderful rambling post. My family is going through some changes this year as my grandmother will be in a nursing home and not able to host in her home. Already it is having an effect on her and on us! But, we will all band together to make it! That is what family is about.
Yea C!!! I know your home will be buzzing with love, hugs and laughter and for sure some good food!! I am thankful for you!!
Hilary said…
What I hear is strength and zest.. it sounds like you're going to have a wonderful holiday season.
Vickie said…
C: Good to hear that you're getting back to "normal"- whatever normal is. Glad you're waking up. Time marches on, doesn't it, and we either get back in the swing or crash and burn. I'm glad you're swinging. I hope your holidays are simply wonderful, absolutely the best you've ever had. Enjoy every single minute with your family, relish every bite of your delicious cooking, and bask in the knowledge that God is good and give Him thanks for bringing you through the valley!!!
jan said…
Sometimes it is hard when holiday celebrations change. Ours will be very small this year, mainly due to logistics. Although we will get together with loved ones at a different time it feels strange not to be planning a 'big do'. But we will look forward to next year!
Anonymous said…
I'm glad some normalcy is returning to your life, C. I love Vickie's comment, so I'll say "ditto". :)
♥Mimi♥ said…
I think that we truly become strong at the broken places. I, too, after a long marriage ended up raising my sons and making my smaller unit into one that had it's own holiday happiness and traditions with one, less participant. I'll be thinking of you this Thanksgiving and smiling knowing that the healing is taking place with your family gathered around in joy.
Unknown said…
i think am gonna enjoy the Holidays this year.

This is a lovely post. Only thing am worried is all the food am planning to cook. Am not a good cook. But ill try. hihhii.

have a great day!

I Am Denise Katipunera
Anonymous said…
Dee from Tennessee

Good for you! Love your blog and your blog is a blessing to me.
What a great post! I am glad you are in the holiday spirit. I love when family comes to visit us(which is hardly ever), but my sister-in-law is planning on coming for Christmas like she did last year. It's always nice to be around lots of family.

I hope you have a good weekend!
xoxo, Shelly
Mama said…
Great post from a place of healing and honesty. Enjoy your holiday!
Joolz said…
Hey C, do what makes you comfortable and enjoy your family around you.

We celebrate Christmas and Easter in Australia and not much in between. We don't herald in the seasons like you do in the US - gee, we don't put up garlands on our doors to celebrate autumn and because we don't have a cold, snowy winter or Christmas we don't have Frosty the Snowman on our front lawns.

I am lucky that I have both my large family and Angus' family to celebrate at Christmas - we all get together and get along just fine, but then we hardly see each other during the year because we have no other holidays to tie us together.

Anyhoo - love the one you're with!

Cheers - Joolz
Jody Blue said…
You could have titled that post "back in the saddle again". How sweet it will be to take back the years the locust had eaten away. Enjoy!

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