Chillax

The past month has been nutsy koo koo.  Yes, I know it goes without saying.  Almost an understatement really.  I think I felt even more stressed than usual for this time of year due to my wisdom teeth coming out on the 10th of December.  I thought I'd have them out and be at work two days later.  Ha, I laugh in the face of such ridiculous assumptions.  It wasn't until the next week I would return to work physically and then a week after that my brain decided to join me for which I am extremely grateful.  So, I was playing catch up with a lot of things at work.  It seemed the more I tried to work faster, the longer it took.  That is just work.  There is so much more that goes on this time of year.  Of course there are parties at work, gift exchanges, music practices, running around after work looking for gifts.  Oh, I forget so and so, I should get one more thing for what'sherhead so it looks even when they open the gifts, yada, yada, yada, who cares! Every year I tell myself to not get caught up in the over commercialization of the Christmas Holiday, and every year it sneaks into my mind and heart, and I can't stand it.  I spend so much time doing errands that I forget what the time is suppose to be.  Spending quality time with friends and family, thinking about the greatest gift we were given.  Last year my friend Christine and I drove around the greater Mertztown area to look at Christmas lights.  Her daughter was in the back, and probably slept most of the time.  Basically, we drive around and make fun of the tacky decorations.  Some people seriously need a twelve step program for plastic lawn santa addiction.  We do also comment on how beautiful some of the houses are decorated, but I have to say, I love to make fun of ugly decorations.  Yes, I know, you should pray for me, so get to it.  Well, this year, I almost canceled because I just didn't feel I had the time.  But, I had postponed the outing once due to my wisdom teeth and I didn't want to disappoint.  So, very kindly, Christine had me over for dinner with her husband Rob and daughter Gwen.  Earlier that day they had been to a funeral for a young man who had been in the youth group when they were leaders.  Though the conversation was not dominated by this topic, it was visited with sadness.  Our thoughts went to his family.  Our hearts grew heavy as we thought of Christmas to be a reminder in years to come of such sadness.  It hit me, as much as I needed to take a break and just have fun with a friend, she needed me to encourage her through this difficult time.  Not that she asked for me to say words of wisdom or that I even said anything, just to be there.  To spend time.  Time is an asset that we too often misuse.  I had been spending it on all the wrong things.  I'm glad I was able to get my priorities straight, if even just for a little while.  We got in the car and drove around Allentown and Bethlehem, and I have to say, we did make fun of some pretty heinously kitchy decorations.  But a lot of them were really beautiful.  We drove around talking, trying to hear each other over the very impressive pulmonary power of a toddler.  At one point I turned and asked Gwen if she was aware I was trying to tell a story.  I'm glad Christine realizes I am joking and she doesn't take offense to my otherwise insensitive comments.  I had a blast just taking the time to drive around, see Christmas lights, listen to music, and talk with a friend.  That is the gift I want to give more often.  That is when I feel like Christmas is Christmas like when you are a little kid.  So thank you Christine for being my co-star in our own little portrayal of It's A Wonderful Life.  Because really when we stop to think about things that matter, people are at the top of the list.  And in a year when I cannot remember what I got for anyone, I'll remember time spent with friends and family.  Of course once I left Allentown I spent the next hour and half shopping and then wrapped gifts until 1:00 am, but hey, I'm a work in progress.