As the holidays come into full madness I always discover myself watching from the outside but not for the obvious reason. You may or may not know but I've been in retail for 25 years. I've been ordering Holiday motif merchandise in July, figuring displays out in my mind in September, working like crazy from Halloween until January & poof my holidays have always been after everyone ceases shopping at the end of January. Christmas & Co have been my business & for that reason I see it quite differently.
I appreciate the gentle snowfall at midnight when I drive the empty streets home, lights twinkling, carols on the radio & the true peace of it all. I know my few gifts of thought always outweigh the mountains some think matter more. My perspective is the greatest gift of the season.
Worry not about perfect cookies. They last longer in the mouth than on the eyes. Forget about finding the perfect sweater for your best gal. Instead invite her out to lunch & shopping when the malls have quieted down. It will be a greater treasure. Allow yourself to be human. You'll forget, burn, miss & all the other wonderful traits that make you flesh & blood but promise me no tears.
I have seen it all fighting, crying, sadness: you name its occurred in front of my eyes. I've always reassured & yes sometimes they listen not just hear but more often than not they embrace the blue that the season of red & green can cause.
There are so many reasons to love the season: family, friends, treats & yes even gifts but if the year has been filled with illness, unemployment, economic issues, heck even just stuff I hope from one side of the counter to the other I hope you can find a reason to celebrate just being alive & loved. You see all that stuff you fight & worry over, we'll pull it out of a box again next October. Its really not that important. The love which is the reason, I believe, for the season, its always there.
P.S. Grant & Hailey are coming this Tuesday for 2 weeks. I get hugs, hand holding & kiddie kisses. Really who needs more.
Merry Christmas to you & those you love!!!!!
11 comments:
How lovely to see you Alicia and, along with the sentiments in your post, that's all we wanted.
I'm afraid that I think we all fall into the trap of excess and comercialism, but I try to remember the real meaning of Christmas and not to get too hung up over turkey and presents and cake mix !!
Hope that you are now 100% better, Alicia, and I wish you a wonderful time with Grant and Hailey. They will certainly bring the colour back to your cheeks and I know that your Christmas will be filled with love and happiness. XXXX
I always find your words so gracious and calming. I hope you are feeling well. Enjoy your sweethearts. Wishing you a very happy new year.
what a lovely post!
Dearest Alicia
How wonderful to see a post from you. I hope you are feeling much better now and enjoying a slower pace of life. I know I run myself ragged this year and am so glad just to stop!!
A lovely post from you reminding us of the true importance at Christmas time. I hope your time with Hailey and Grant is peaceful and full of the joy of their smiley little faces...
Thanks for posting this Christmas.. I miss you friend xx julie
A Merry Christmas and a fabulous 2010!!!!
xx
Greet
Merry Christmas, Alicia! I hope all is well and you're feeling fully recovered from your bout of Valley Fever.
Alicia!!!!!!!!! So wonderful to see you and to read your writing again, beautifully put as always.
I hope that you are starting to feel better, what a year it has been for you....2010 will be much better I hope!
I wish you a very merry merry Christmas with those two angels of yours!
Much love,
Simone xoxo
Oh Alicia ~ it is so nice to see you. I worked in retail for 18 years so I do know where you are coming from. I looked forward to the 25th & 26th because I was exhausted and needed sleep in a bad way. Christmas brought sickness ~ from being overtired and stressed to the max wanting everything to be perfect. I have been out of the retail rat race for almost 10 years now and although in some ways I do miss it ~ I love my Monday-Friday job.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with your loved ones.
Happy New Year Alicia.. May all your dreams come true in 2010!! much love xx julie
Easy for someone who is a whiz in the kitchen to say not to worry about the perfect cookies. BTW I will have to find out about those gorgeous scarfs you've got on your side bar. LOVE those:) Miss you every day sweetie:)
I miss you, Alicia! Please hurry back!
http://girlwhimsy.blogspot.com
Post a Comment