News Flash

As Hallmark is announcing ad nauseam, the holidays are upon us. Thanks for that; I had no idea😒. I can’t imagine anyone needs a reminder every fifteen minutes given the fact stores have been decorated for Christmas since THE FOURTH OF JULY! I feel sorry for those of us who must endure the annual onslaught of holiday happenings. I’m here to tell ya, it can be exhausting…all that smiling, cheerfulness, and peopling. Way too much peopling.

Over the years, I’ve streamlined my festivities to a bare minimum. I put out my Grinch cookie jar, attend a cookie exchange (to fill the jar), and give the gbabes the gifts of experiences and adventures. I enjoy other people’s decorations, listen to Christmas music on Christmas Eve and Christmas day (as it was intended), watch Christmas Vacation and A Christmas Story on the 25th, and then celebrate with a huge sigh of relief when midnight strikes and the merriment and madness is over.

I find the best respite from the chaos are the religious traditions I cherish. This year, a friend and I met in Kansas City to hear the Symphony perform Handel’s Messiah. Beautiful music and a beautiful friend, priceless gifts. My church still presents Christmas Vespers and several alternatives to midnight Mass. (I mean, midnight, really?!) My friends and family don’t expect a Happy Holidays card, a perfectly wrapped gift, a newsy newsletter, or an invite to an ugly sweater Christmas party. Instead, I send them unconditional love and wish them peace, joy, and everything their heart desires. After all, isn’t that what Christmas is about?