Friday, December 10, 2010

Welcome to the Season of Manic Depression...

A Danish Christmas tree illuminated with burni...Image via Wikipedia



   Is it just me are do find yourself loving and dreading this time of year?

   I go from laughing and singing along with the radio or the muzak in the stores, to crying at the drop of a hat (or the airing of the Christmas commercials ).   I feel like I am on a roller coaster of highs and lows from mid November until January 3rd, when the post holiday blues set in.

   When I was a child the excitement just kept building right up to Christmas.  The only tears were when the misfit toys thought they were going to be left out of Christmas again, or when Frosty melted.  Oh and the tantrums we threw when we were finally made to go to sleep.  What child sleeps during Christmas, there is just too much to enjoy.

   When we were young, Christmas dragged getting here and all the gifts just appeared under the tree.  Mom, Dad, Grandparents and all the Aunts and Uncles loved the crayon pictures you drew and the hand prints in plaster .  Try getting by giving those as gifts now.

   As adults we know that the gifts have to be put under the tree, oh and the tree has to be bought as well.  The list of things to do gets longer and longer and time goes quicker and quicker.  The pressure seems to build because we want to provide our children with the Christmases we had or as we remember them.


   How on earth did my Mom get all the cards sent out, the house decorated, gifts bought and wrapped, the cookies made, plus get all of us to the Christmas shows at school and church.  I get tired just thinking about it.

   But mostly, when we were children the whole extended family on both sides got together during December to celebrate together.  Now a days everyone lives to far away and are too busy to get together.  There are also too many who no longer here.

  As adults we find ourselves yearning for the childlike wonder and magic of the season, but having the reasonable adult mind that keeps pulling back the damn curtain to revel the mechanical workings.  We find ourselves caught in the turbulent waters between magic and reality. 

  So do I still love Christmas ... you bet I do.  The magic is still there, just look in the eyes of a child or an elderly man or woman when they see a simple gift given with love.  I have lots of great memories to visit with this time of year, and more to make.  But I will always take time for the tears, it's just part of the season, and my way of saying I miss you and love you always to all those who can't be here.


Now get the tissue ready.... This is one of my all time favorite tearjerkers.






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10 comments:

Parsley said...

Yep...love Christmas. Oh sure it can be a busy, crazy time but it's also special.

Enjoy your preparations and Merry Christmas.

Canadianbloggergirl said...

Christmas rocks. I find myself in tears at times being so far away from family and friends. I've been told I do have family with me, hubby and our daughter, however what I mean is my parents and inlaws and friends. I just love a busy Christmas.

Hopefully the giveaway you won will keep you some less teary through the holidays!

CBG
canadianbloggergirl.blogspot.com

The Words Crafter said...

It's such a stressful, crazy, wonderful, nostalgic, magical time of year!!!! And, I don't know if I've ever seen that commercial before, but thanks!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sometimes it seems like we've lost some of that magic and wonder.
Then again, I like the very small gathering we do at Christmas now. Too many is just mass confusion for me.

Theres just life said...

Hi Parsley, Yes it is a very special season, and come Christmas Eve worth everything.
Hi CBG, Yes your package really, really helped. I have been going around the house drinking my coffee and singing Oh Canada along with the carols.
Hi WC, They use to show it when they aired the Hallmark Christmas specials. I tear up every time I see it.
Hi Alex, Since I can't remember names anyway, the smaller gatherings are easier. But as a kid I just remember the big tree, the food, playing with all my cousins, and Santa sneaking in to put gifts for us kids under the tree. We had a ball. Now a days the only time I see most of my cousins is at weddings or funerals.

Rachael Harrie said...

"We want to provide our children with the Christmases we had or as we remember them" - that's so true. Thanks for this really insightful post. I'm looking forward to Christmas, but (as you say) mostly for the fun it will bring my children :)

Rach

Cat said...

Computer ate my comment. Trying this again. Ahem...

I remember this commerical, bawled just like last time. I am trying for laid back Christmas, it's what you make it, right?

Nice to see you at my blog! Thanks!

Cat

SKY PRINCESS said...

Hi Pamela Jo,

You do bring back the memories. My mother always made Christmas cookies and I never do! People keep wanting me to put up Christmas decorations and I just want the house clean and the leaves raked!
Thanks for the post and the visit to my blog today! Happy Holidays to you!

Misfit Mommy (aka the Antichrist) said...

I think every singel blog I've read in the past few days (including my own) covered this topic in one way or another. Now I'm wondering if it's a secret requirement that in order to have a blog, you must lose half your mind during this time of year....

Theres just life said...

Hi SP, I love Christmas decorations, just keep running out of time. Clean house I would love that, but we are still building so that is out of the question.
Hi Misfit Mommy, Thank you for stopping by. I don't think you have to be crazy to blog but it sure helps, and makes for some interesting reading.