Feeling All the Feels

Sometimes we humans aren't very smart.

It's not enough that we get bogged down in all the events that surround the holidays. We tend to over extend ourselves to the point that there is no way humanly possible for us to actually enjoy the season.

There are decorations to put up. Parties to attend. Programs to perform. Songs to sing. Presents to buy. Presents to wrap. Goodies to bake. Foods to eat. Family to see.

Do you sometimes feel like you're just checking things off the list and looking forward to the end of the holidays? Do you ever aim for the "perfect" holiday? Did you get it?

I learned a long time ago not to have too many expectations. If you're determined that everything be absolutely perfect, you end up only seeing the failures and flaws. How much better to simply enjoy the happenings as they come along? For instance, do you see happy faces and memories, or do you see a powdered sugar nightmare? (Answer:  BOTH!)

For us, this is the last Christmas that we will all be together as a family for quite a while. Sometime next year, Zack and Stephanie will finish deputation and head to the mission field. It would be quite easy to push hard for making this the perfect Christmas.

The problem is, last time I checked, we're all human. None of us are perfect. So it's not really possible to have the perfect holiday. Not in the sense of everything happening just exactly as it's supposed to.

But I'm aiming to have the perfect holiday anyway. I plan on doing that by enjoying every moment that comes along as opposed to planning every moment. Don't get me wrong, Christmas for almost twenty people does not happen without some planning. But I don't want to be so busy checking things off my list that I miss what's going on right in front of me.

I don't want to be so busy shopping that I miss the interactions with slightly impatient little grandkids that just want to go play on the playground.

I don't want to be so absorbed in frosting the perfect cookies that I miss the laughter and fun around the table.

I want to stop and enjoy the hugs of my college guys when they come home, and revel in watching my sons laughing and joking together.

I want to watch my grandson as he adores his grandfather and follows "Papa" around.

I want to see my granddaughters giggle and play with their cousins while waiting for the day they can open all their presents.

I'm going to enjoy the slightly weird and wonderful Christmas that only Boyds can have. It doesn't have to be perfect. It just has to be us.

This year I'm working hard at feeling all the feels. That'll give me a perfect Christmas.

I hope your Christmas is perfect in it's own weird and wonderful way as well. "Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal. And a Happy New Year!"