Merry Christmas Eve, y’all. I turn 28 tomorrow. Yup, my birthday is on Christmas. I’ve learned to live with it. In fact, I’m starting to get to a point where I kinda like it, maybe. I mean I get to see all of my family on my birthday or close to it (if I’m not working). Plus, at this point, the people closest to me usually remember my birthday and almost always wrap my birthday gifts in birthday gift wrap. I consider this a personal success haha.
28 brings with it a lot of joy. I am BLESSED. I have a job, a home, an amazing husband and a family that I love so much. I have my health. I am able to do what I love. Nothing could be better. So this year for Christmas (and my birthday), I am working harder to separate gifts from gifts. With each year that passes I find that I struggle more and more when I’m asked what I want for Christmas. Perhaps it’s because I’m learning that the things that I need and want are not things at all. What is most valuable in my life are my family, my friends, and the time, memories and laughter that we share. Maybe this is stating the obvious, maybe we all inherently know this, but our society teaches us that this is not enough. We are hammered every day with commercials and ads teaching us that we need the newest car, the freshest makeup, the trendiest clothes, those brand-name sneakers, that designer bag. We’re desensitized. So even though I’m stating the obvious, I think it bares reiterating, especially at this time of the year when consumerism is at its loudest and you have the opportunity to embrace and cherish what you already have; love, joy, and the warmth of family and friends.
My wish for you this holiday season is a moment. I wish for you a moment to stop and take in every ounce of love and joy and weirdness that surrounds you so that you can hold onto it. Put down your phone, your camera, your new toy, and soak up every detail of this amazing life you have and set it to memory. You can keep it with you and hold onto it and revisit that moment when you need it. Give that gift to yourself. Realize the richness of this fleeting, special, joyous time and let it keep you afloat. That’s what I’m gonna do.
Be blessed, my dear friends. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Crafty Bridge 