A Moment with Donna…Holiday Traditions

The Holidays…a time when so much of humanity goes somewhat bonkers. Hustle and bustle are the two commanding, unspoken code words that are pounded into our psyche’s big time. Traffic is bumper to bumper, malls are packed solid in their parking lots, and you better plan on standing in line, like a friend of mine did, for maybe an hour or more to pay for you purchases. Black Friday is no longer a one-day event, it goes on for days and this year, for some businesses, it even started before Thanksgiving. Incredible.

Thanksgiving weekend in the Seebo household joins millions of others in decorating and creating the environment of the holiday we love best…Christmas. I have to admit after hauling out of the garage and various closets into my living room, dusty boxes, some which are big, chunky, plastic tubs filled with all kinds of items like gaudy, sparkly ribbons, stuffed animals, garlands of various sizes and oodles more…Am I Nuts or What?!

As I gazed upon the chaos of total disorder in my entry hall and living room, thoughts ran helter-skelter, through my head, Why am I doing this? Yes…a touch of that loveable Christmas character, the Grinch, invaded my thoughts.

Unlike Sleeping Beauty’s fairy godmothers, there is no magic wand to instantly bring disorder into order. No, it takes patience and focus to realize all I have to do is one box, one plastic bag at a time, during which I am scolding myself for not remembering where I put what.

One of my biggest frustrations is stringing lights on the tree. Once that is done and lights tested, then the magic begins. Yes, the magic. As decorations are, one by one, put on the tree memories of past Christmas’s flow gently into my mind. Visits with friends, meals and recipes shared, plays and festivals attended, laughter, visiting the fantastically decorated malls with their amazing displays, music and singing choir groups dressed in costumes of the past, having hot chocolate at an outside kiosk and at the same time stomping our feet as the bitter cold temps and winds whip around us. Memories flow and the Christmas spirit gently fills me and illuminates everything I am doing.

How can you describe the Spirit of Christmas? I honestly don’t know that anyone can…it is so much more than presents, glitz and commotion. It gives a sense of fellowship, trust in the unknown and a connection to the invisible magic of the Universe. It fills the chalice of hope, the empowerment of one’s soul essence to the awareness that we have a phenomenal place in this experience we call life, no matter who we are or where we are on this planet.

Yes, I finally got everything up and in place, and somehow it all came together quite nicely. For all of my frustrated fussing, I am so glad that I have taken the time to do what I have done for it fills me with joy that not only do I get to enjoy the displays for the season but so will the friends that visit my home.

If you, like me, feel frustrations, above all know you can take time to savor and enjoy this magical season. The magic truly is already within you…be aware the Christmas Spirit is contagious, so be sure to share it with everyone you come in contact with.

I wish for you and those you love a most heart-filling, joyous and harmonious holiday season. See you in 2023!

Love, Donna