Living Out Loud. ( v11). Tis the gift to be simple. ~ by Janet

My four year old daughter, Maggie, hums herself to sleep. She says she hums because it keeps her bad dreams away. I find this pretty amazing. She was born in China, thousands of miles between us and I too hum myself to sleep. (Must be that red thread . . .) I hum the same song winter, spring, summer, or fall, every night, and it works. . . .

I’ll let you in on a little secret, I’m a Christmas-a-holic. I love everything about it. When I hear people complaining about last minute shopping (mine’s not finished, either) I laugh. When they say they’ve gained weight over the holidays, I look down at my own little pooched out belly, and I smile. When they stress over not finding that perfect gift for that certain someone, I sympathize, but not much.

You see, I am a worrier, and from January through September, it’s chronic. But then October arrives, and all of my problems and worries are miraculously put on the back burner by Christmas magic. It’s only October. My kids say I’m a Christmas nut.They tell me to stop flying my holiday “freak flag”. They look at me wearily if they need to ask me for a ride because they know they will be listening to Elvis singing “Blue Christmas”. And each CD after will be playing more holiday tunes. Changing the station isn’t up for debate. You need a ride, you listen to Christmas carols . . . They laugh, they roll their eyes, they huff and puff. Maggie and I ignore this and count how many houses we see with Christmas lights until we reach our destination. I can’t explain it, but the music brings me comfor. . . . and joy? Yep, and joy. LOL.

My house smells delicious like apples and cinnamon. I smile at the tacky holiday cling-ons stuck on my windows. I say they are for Maggie’s enjoyment, but I love them, too. The lights, the music, the decorations, I love it all. I try to instill my love for Christmas in my children. I hope it works.

The “25 Days of Christmas” on tv is reserved solely for me. The kids get the tv for 339 days of the year, and they think this is unfair! Why on Earth should Mom get to watch Christmas specials in guady holiday pajamas for 25 days?! Maggie’s with me in this though; she’s still wrapped up in the magic of christmas, an innocent child untouched by the ugliness of the outside world.

I sit back with a cup of eggnog and watch “Santa Buddies” with Maggie. When it’s over she states “I think they ( the Santa Buddies) learned Christmas is about giving.” And I think maybe that’s what makes me feel so at peace. It’s the one time of year when people do take the time to love, and listen, and give of themselves. I feel safe in this holiday happiness.

Kaylyn, my 20-year-old daughter, gave me a wonderful gift last month . . . (OCTOBER)!! Late for work, she was running out the door when she stopped, turned around, and said “Mom, can I borrow your Elvis’ Christmas CD?” It’s ONLY October I replied. You’ll have to get it out of my car . . .

Tonight I will smile as I think of that, as I’m drifting off to sleep humming to myself the same ol’ song I’ve hummed for years, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. . .”

Merry Christmas Everyone and may your hearts be light!!