Christmas used to always be the same. Excitement would fill the air after Thanksgiving as people would put up their lights and decorations, welcoming Christmastime into the neighborhood. Then inflatable decorations came along and a part of my Christmas decoration heart broke forever. But things change.
Every December 1st, I would begin opening the small flaps to my 25 days of Christmas chocolates - one chocolate a day, and I felt indulgent even. That box eventually went away, which is probably good considering I'm diabetic and all. Now I celebrate the 25 days of Christmas according to ABC family's continual Christmas entertainment offerings. Things change.
Christmas Eve was the beginning of the real excitement for our family. All twentyish of us tucked away in a living room that comfortable sat five, the mayhem began. Food galore (always leaving out that one item we hid away earlier in the day for storage), our bellies became the holders of joy for most, discontent for some. I always had the humble pleasure of reading Luke's account of the birth of Christ to the family. Once the wrapping paper went flying, there was really no telling what was going on. Kids first, parents second, Nana last - always last, while we all watched respectfully (the younger, the more impatient, but always respectful). After the extended family antics were over, we headed home for a cup of hot chocolate, a fire in the fire place, and a choice of one present from under the tree. Anticipation of the morning made way into our minds as we rested their vessels on our pillows. Christmas morning consisted of breakfast and presents and gaiety and laughter - slow enjoyment of the morning. Then we would head back to Nana's for another meal that would feed an army and some more time enjoying the company of each other, without the wrapping paper, but just as much chaos. * It's not even Christmas Eve yet and I have opened all of my presents rather unceremoniously at random times over the past month. I spent the past Sunday cleaning my Nana's shell of a house so that prospects could come decide if they should live their lives in the place that houses the majority of mine. I used to open presents with my cat Bowge, and this year my dog Bella was not even home for the pre-Christmas excitement. Some things just change.
Change isn't a bad thing. I mean, I've changed a lot over the years. I used to enjoy the craziest things, and now...well, maybe that wasn't the greatest example. But you know what I mean. Change isn't bad. But it is a thing. An interesting thing. A thing I'm grateful for. But a thing. And things need to be dealt with. Let the dealing begin.
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