Then, somehow, I became an adult. Between recess and black coffee, I lost the ban on Christmas travel- holiday travel in general- and now, too often, the end of a holiday means a sore lower back and a car full of my husband's mint wrappers. Last weekend was no exception. Though we did have Dallas, Dally Lama as she's been recently nicknamed, for entertainment this time around. To her chagrin she had jingle bells tied to her collar, and wore a festive sweater for much of the journey. She shared the backseat with presents, first those we were giving, and then the ones we received. Mostly, she slept in a perfect sized ball for the space she had and enjoyed the constant company.
Despite the travel, I refuse to grow weary of Christmas. I hate it when adults say they don't like Christmas because "its just not what it was when we were kids." I still adamantly love Christmas. I love the excuse to give to people dearest to me. The excuse to listen to my Sufjan Christmas albums exclusively for weeks. The excuse to dress our dog in festive canine attire. I know I shouldn't need an "excuse." I can give my family gifts any time. I can put a sweater on Dally any day of the year. But, you know what? Life is so darn busy and fast. Christmas is this speed bump to remind us of the road we're on and who we're traveling with and travel or not, I'm thankful for it.
PS: linking up with E Tells Tales
oh, this resonates. the transition from Christmas spent at home (your parents home) in pjs, vs. traveling to see lots of family. after 5 years, it is still hard to leave my parents house on Christmas day, even though it is to see my husbands aunts and uncles and cousins who I love.
ReplyDeletep.s. this is a great description of post-road trip: "a sore lower back and a car full of my husband's mint wrappers." so true!
I love that you're still as passionately in love with Christmas! I tried so hard to get into it this year, but I feel like I'm sadly falling into that 'Christmas void' that you were talking about. I'm gonna try harder next year - I want to be just like you and feel all of this!
ReplyDelete@Shannon::The Scribble Pad: Exactly! I love my husband's family, and I love time with them. It's just hard to leave my own family, especially on Christmas. I flash back to everything that ran through my mind as I walked down the isle...
ReplyDelete@Sarah: I totally think enjoying Christmas has to be a choice at some point. I'm STILL tired from all the travel, but I know that Christmas gives me a chance- no matter how tiring it all is- to love on my family. That is definitely worth it. :)