And then Christmas happened

I've had a rough couple of weeks. Dealing with my pain problems, (MRI shows several tears in the lining of my hip joint - hello arthroscopic surgery!), a friend committed suicide, my job as PTA treasurer has taken a nasty turn at the discovery of a secret PTA account being kept by a parent (so that's where those checks went!), I've been running around like crazy trying to complete costume parts for Nutcracker and outfits for school concerts (how is it possible that there are no size 10 black pants within a 20 mile radius?), and hosting a big cookie-decorating party (more on that later).

But through it all, I've really tried to make Christmas happen. I've gone through all the motions of decorating the house, putting on the music, and following through with all of our traditions. But my heart wasn't in it. I had the perfect storm of bursting brain, sad heart, and physical pain.

But then something happened. Friday night while Jungle Boy and Drama Girl were at their Nutcracker rehearsal, Wasabi Girl and I started setting up for the cookie party. I baked gingerbread cookies furiously while she set up craft stations and organized the frosting and sprinkles. When I took the hundredth cookie out of the oven I paused for a minute and sat with her at a little table she'd set up.

"Mom, look at the ornaments we can make with these beads and wire!" I picked up a piece of wire and curled the end. Then I slid some beads on. I made a hook on the other end and held it up to the light. So simple it was beautiful. I started making another.

"Mommy, this is fun."
"Yes sweetheart, this is fun."
"Can we have some eggnog?"
"I think we must. It wouldn't feel like Christmas without it."

And as we sat there, making these beautiful little ornaments in the quiet house, next to the lights of the tree, Christmas happened. And now it's mine. And I love it.