Another holiday moment
I made it a goal to read more books this holiday season. Stories for Mark and stories for me. I just finished The Christmas Tree by Julie Salmon and it is one of the most lovely books I’ve ever read. It is the story of the man who picks the tree for the square in New York, and a special journey he took finding one particular tree. It is a short read, and a memorable and wonderful story. I recommend it highly.
Today finished shopping, stopped by the Magic Shop and saw Aaron. In his glory, manning the store by himself, he was doing magic and entertaining kids, and generally doing a really good job. I think he was surprised to see me. As I was standing there, he wrapped up and handed me a box of the Marvin’s Magic kit. When I asked was it from him to Mark he said no, it was for me to give him. I was really touched. In spite of all that has happened, I find that the season will yet be a beautiful one. The boys will have lovely gifts, things they want. I would have loved to have bought more for everyone, but that is just how things go.
I also read the Hundred Dollar Holiday and while it was Christian based as well as messing up some facts about Christmas trees, but their origins and their modern American introductions, it was a good book as well. It talked about the consumerism that we are all trained to have all our lives but this season of get get get. How the meaning of family, spending time together and doing things, or a phrase becoming ever more popular “the gift of time” and how it can be much more enriching than the piles of “stuff” sitting under the tree. The author is right, we certainly do have too much stuff, not enough of what fills us. Love, companionship, friends, laughter. I’ve started this year, and probably could have done better, but I think I will be aiming more and more towards that going along. I want to start to remember things about what we did together and how we love each other rather than rushing around buying, wrapping and see all of it disappear into a pile of papers in 10 minutes. I want to make cookies (like we started to today and then got so tired we just couldn’t make ourselves roll and cut them - but they are there for Tuesday night).
I’ve sent Holiday cards, am attending a party for the women at the church tomorrow night, and am trying to just relax. So I watch the tree, and play with Mark, and we all try to be thankful.
