Holiday Spirit

I have to admit I've been a bit of a Grinch this year.  I am having my tonsils removed right before Christmas and  I won't be able to celebrate Christmas quite the way I'd like to.  I've been informed that I won't be able to eat solid food by Christmas, I won't be able to ride in a car (the bouncing could loosen the scabs that will be in the back of my throat--yum), and I probably won't be able to get out of bed.  I've really let this get to me.  I've been wallowing in my own self pity and feeling sorry for myself ever since I found out I have to have my tonsils taken out and the only time my schedule will allow for the surgery is right before Christmas.  Today, while jogging, it occurred to me that I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself and start enjoying the holiday planning I enjoy so much.

I can't have a nice Christmas dinner and I probably won't be very coherent on Christmas.  That doesn't have to stop me from enjoying decorating my house, buying gifts, and inviting my friends over after Christmas for a get together.  I can still do all the things I love....just not on Christmas this year.  That's okay.

So now I am embracing the holiday spirit.  I am sitting in my living room floor listening to Christmas music and writing out gift lists so I can start my shopping.  I am browsing the internet for pretty decorations and I have informed my husband that he should bring home some holiday gift wrap tonight. I am looking up holiday crafts. I am also looking at the Angel Tree site to pick out a few little angels I can help out this year.  My family is in difficult financial straits so I am also looking up homemade Christmas gift ideas I can share with them, including these ideas from a few years ago.

I'm not going to let this surgery ruin my Christmas.  I might not get to see my family on Christmas and I might not be able to eat all that yummy food, but I can enjoy every little thing leading up to the big day.  I can wrap myself up in the joy of giving.  I can embrace selflessness and goodwill and love and family and friendship and hope and all the other miraculous things this holiday is really about.  No matter what is happening in your own life, you can revel in the small but wonderful joys of this holiday too.  I know I'm going to.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!