This is the time of year that regardless of how much you are buying for the various holidays, you are going to end up in a line-up of some sort (so long as it isn't a police line-up all should be well!)
We spend less money at Christmas now, but I would be lying if I told you that I hate a commercial Christmas.
I like the decorations - be they Christmas or Hanukkah-related - and I like the bustle.
I like to see Santa and I always give him a hearty wave. You believe, don't you?
Most of all, I try to enjoy the bustle. It is going to happen anyway, and to rail against it all only causes distress, not peace.
Today, I ended up in a long line at Walmart. I was not Christmas shopping, but needed something for the house that could not be postponed.
So I struck up a conversation with the lady in front of me. I chatted with my daughter. We wondered about how Kim and Kanye were doing (since we were standing right in front of the magazine aisle!). I really looked at people. I smiled. I saw many moments of loveliness that I might not have otherwise noticed if I hadn't had it in my head to enjoy the moment.
It's ten days till Christmas. I'm having a big "do" on Saturday night. I am rewriting a novel. And most of all, I am grateful for the opportunity to do all of these things.
Last week, an acquaintance of mine passed away. We weren't friends, but we were friendly. We have friends in common. And he was a good man. I am reminded that there are people in pain at all times of the year, not just over the holidays. I am reminded that there will be food on my table and family there. I am reminded that standing in a long line at Walmart, even that, can be a pleasure if you think of it as such.
And since I felt so darn good afterwards, I thought maybe one or two of you might also like to be reminded, as well.
Be a light!
What a blessing it is to be busy and stuck in traffic and tired. It sure is to me. And if you have even one person who loves you in this world, you are not alone. And if you are reading this, you have me!
Much Love! xoxo wendy
(and yes, I hope things are all right for Kim and Kanye...)
Of course you'd make the best out of a long line at Walmart. You have such a positive disposition. I try hard to be grateful, even when I'm whining. I am fortunate to have first world problems. We are not in the spirit yet - just because of overwork and overall busy schedules. Baking day is Thursday which I know will get the boys and hubby in the season-for me the holidays start with copious amounts of butter softening on the counter while I ponder the next recipe.
ReplyDeleteOh no, Julie - I am the most impatient person in the world! I have to work at it! So I did make a conscious decision today and the results were quote remarkable!!!
DeleteOh my god, I love butter....
Glad to know I am not the only one with butter softening on the counter. I loathe going to Costco but I did pick up four pounds of unsalted butter for holiday baking this week!
Deletewhat a great message wendy. i know i'm one that complains of the traffic and the lines make me crazy. i'll take your advice and settle down. Christmas comes once a year, why complain about anything? thanks wendy. x
ReplyDeleteJanet - you are always so peaceful and zen-like! I wrote this mainly for myself, to be honest! I need to be on a nice even keel!
DeleteI do try to keep "the reason for the season" close to heart but it is so hard. The other day I was a bit anxious about which napkins to use for Christmas feast. All others in my family just suggested really big ones. I can do that!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny what we dwell on! I am exactly like you - fretting after the small things! All they want is your food! Hope the boys made it through the lost weekend in Vegas!
DeleteWell yes. I agree. I don't decorate perse bc I am not big on ceremony but it's a good time to reassess and count ones blessings. I just kinda forgot and am a but knackered from engagements but I have to remember it's great to have family and friends nearby
ReplyDeleteYou have such style, you don't need to decorate! I have few engagements, so that likely helps!
DeleteThank you for this timely reminder. After a work day full of unusual stresses, your words are taken to heart. Enjoy your beautiful snow...looks lovely!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteGreat message. Every year I do less and every year I enjoy the holidays more. Funny how that happens!
ReplyDeleteMe too! I think that's a sign of good aging!
DeleteThank you for all the great reminders to find the joy in the Christmas season.it has been particularly festive so far this year for me. Probably the most exciting part will be this weekend when we cut into the cake my daughter is baking to reveal the gender of the baby that she is expecting. A new grandbaby! Let's all hope the wee one cooperates and gives more than a backside view during the ultrasound.
ReplyDeleteOh my god! What a fabulous idea for a party!!!! Cannot wait to hear!
DeleteWhat a nice post! :)
ReplyDeletethanks Cate!
DeletePEACE, LOVE, JOY If you can't have it at Han-Mas-Festivus, when can you eh! Wenders these words especially welcome after the terribleness of Sydney and Pakistan so far this week. It is all relative. And a dash of patience and a thankful heart do help. LOL re. you, DD and Kimye.
ReplyDeletelOVE FESTIVUS! Feats of strength, shaming! It's got it all!!!!
DeleteWell said Wendy. We have a lot of reasons to be thankful.
ReplyDeleteso sweet, even with a broken toe!
DeleteThanks Wendy! My hubby says things like this all the time, I'm more the type to get frazzled by the little things. Today I did have a moment of gratitude for our smaller but affordable home, tree smack in the middle shedding needles be damned! What peace comes from accepting what we have instead of constantly looking the next best thing (and dramatically purging the old), this is my mantra in a blog world gone wild. Thanks for your voice of sanity and best to you and yours for the season!!!
ReplyDeleteAnon, I can get frazzled as well, but I am working hard to reform that aspect of myself! We had a terrible needle dropper last year - this year's tree seems much better behaved! Thanks for the kind words!
DeleteAnd by the way, Wendy, I appreciate your honesty about not having as much $ to spend at Xmas. You are in good company! Between the spectacle of goods on blogger and instagram (it's never clear to me exactly what the person wants us to say: boy you're rich?) you'd think the economy was flying high! Thanks again for keeping it real!
ReplyDeleteAnd by the way to you - happy holidays! I am definitely on a fixed budget, which I still realize is much better than some folks' budget. And I do fall off the wagon. But it is forcing me to be patient - I have been watching a banana republic dress for 3 months - it finally went on half price this morning! I actually like showing my house - it is small, the work was done by us on the cheap and is not designer at all. But I think it is probably good to see places that aren't perfect lived in by people who could lose 20 pounds....
DeleteThis is such a great reminder. I've always been the anti-pollyanna, a terrible pessimist, but since I got together with my now husband, I have played this game whenever he is down. I think my default attitude is now shifting, and that is a blessing.
ReplyDeleteMany good wishes on this first night of Hanukkah. May this festival of lights illuminate your way, and may this year that's on its way find you happy, healthy, and more importantly... published! Much much love, from ours to yours.
AB - I am just getting there myself! I imagine how happy I will be in my nineties! Love right back to you! Are you telling me yours might be the home where I can finally celebrate Hanukkah? I would be giddy with happiness!
DeleteMuch love to you too, Wendy! Hope we can meet up one day. :)
ReplyDeleteMuch love to you too, Rose! I have to get my butt in gear and get published so I can get out to BC!
DeleteWhat a lovely reminder, thanks so much. The glass is indeed half full. If only I could bump into you in the checkout counter....
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit of a Pollyanna myself, in fact one of my friends calls me F*#@ Pollyanna which I think we can agree isn't very nice. I always try to talk to people in check out lines and it's usually the older people who will converse. I miss the company of the older and wiser with my Nana gone nearly two years now.
ReplyDeleteI always try to remember too that you don't know what people are going through... I've had a few crying episodes since our robbery last week and I'm sure I look a bit funny to some people with my puffy eyes, and dang it it's too dark this week to wear sunglasses. When something bad happens all of the normal things seem even nicer and more comforting...which is why I'm looking forward to the WalMart line today. (By the way have you tried Drew Barrymore's make-up line, only available at WalMart, it's really good and made in the USA, I use the lipsticks... I'll be picking some up today for stockings.)
I so wish I could visit your house at Christmas Wendy, with the decorations and the good cheer.
Robbery!?! Oh no, my dear. Sending love and best wishes to you.
DeleteDani - sending you virtual hugs!!! I think Drew is one of us, and I think she and I ought to come round and give you a good dose of love and affection!
DeleteOh Dani, I am so sorry to hear about this! I hope you are managing ok, and that whatever was taken is found again soon. Big hugs to you!
DeleteYes, I am the zen cheery one, too; yesterday was spent in Boston so in traffic, MLane getting up tight. I had him doing some breathing exercises. Lunch with one friend, dinner with others, museum and Newberry St in between, and he actually went into stores with me, Christmas miracle!
ReplyDeleteLast weekend we were visited by another Boston friend, recently widowed, my age, such a fabulous guy he was; we had a gratitude peak that persists.
it sure puts things in perspective, doesn't it! I love Newberry Street! We ate at the most fantastic indian restaurant alone there last year!
DeleteWhat a great post Wendy... My best friend lost her husband 10 weeks ago... Your words here are really, really meaningful to me. I wish you a wonderful time till Xmas and all the best with your writing!
ReplyDeleteToi aussi! So happy to see the tree is up!!!
DeleteI 100% agree -- so much of how feel every day is how we frame it, no? Ever since one of my best friends (also 36, also a mom to 3 young kids) was diagnosed last summer with cancer that has metastasized, I've taken a closer look at my life and tried to appreciate that in reality it is amazingly charmed. Happy Chanukah and Merry Christmas!.
ReplyDeleteI am loving your posts on the various celebrations going on at your house, M! So wonderful! I miss the kidlet years, though I suppose it won't be long till it's a grandchild!
DeleteHi Wendy---what a beautifully written post and pictures--it brought tears to my eyes. It is so easy to miss those precious 'quiet moments'---where ever they might be! Thank you for 'Being a light'......
ReplyDeletethanks Anon!
DeleteThanks go making us take a moment to slow down and soak it all in. It feels nice to feel loved with virtual hugs too! Whatever you do though, don't get in front of me and dilly dally. I've got s@#& to do! Haha and much love!
ReplyDeleteyou made me snort out loud!!!!
DeleteLove this post, Wendy! It really is so important to slow down and appreciate what the Holiday season is truly about. Thank you for the love, and know that it is coming right back to you tenfold! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Miss Melissa! Blowing a big kiss to you!
DeleteVery uplifting! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteLove Christmas and decorations. We did none this year because we are off to NZ but I regret it...should have got a tree and I miss the snow!
ReplyDeleteSo love this too! Wendy you have the right attitude about it all. I so know with a very ill friend. All the little junk we have to do each day is a blessing and I too try to enjoy the little things. It's those that matter. I'm going to share this on my Facebook. xx
ReplyDelete