Feeling Christmasy

It’s my favorite time of year. The traditions, the parties, the COOKIES, the decorations, the music, the festivities, the movies.

I’m sitting in a freezing auditorium watching Lillian rehearse for a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer production happening this weekend. The WIFI sucks, it’s cold (as mentioned), the rehearsal is dragging on forever, the seats are uncomfortable — but I am loving it.

The set is magical, the three and four year olds who fail to find their places no matter how many times they reset and get redirected are adorable and hilarious, the music is nostalgia to my ears, and it’s all just Christmas at its best.

And I’m here with Lil.

Every day is new memories being made, more joy being shared. Sharing my favorite traditions and memories from childhood with my own children, while crafting new ones with them.

And the shopping.

Not just because I love shopping, but because giving is my love language.

I love finding the perfect gift that shows the recipient how much I care. That reflects the thoughtful — and creative — consideration that went into the gesture. That shows I hear them when they’re not even speaking. The look that inevitably lights up their face fills me with so much joy.

I also love giving when I can’t see the faces or even know the names of those I’m giving to. Dropping off a box of canned goods, a bag of jackets, or bins of Christmas toys to those less fortunate makes me feel like there is hope and kindness in the world. Because entire organizations exist to serve this need — supported by volunteers from coast to coast and who knows how much in donations each year — and I’m never the first to show up, with mountains of boxes and bags and bins already standing tall.

I also love the hope and joy it (hopefully) brings to those families. To know that they’re seen and loved, and they also deserve a celebratory holiday.

This year, all of my favorite things are even more special.

Lights are twinkling brighter. Hearts are fuller. Marshmallows taste more mashmallowey. The coolness in the air is carrying extra magic.

I’m a bit of an obnoxious elf this year, taking in every opportunity to share and spread Christmas cheer (the best way: singing loud for all to hear). I’m not sure if we have a single free day on the calendar this month? And I am living for it.

But yet, this season can also be lonely and overwhelming.

Be kind to yourself.

Set boundaries.

Enjoy but give yourself the gift of taking care of yourself.

I’ve always held that everything gets better with time. In most all cases I still think this is true. A broken heart, a loss, bad news, most are always better with a good night’s sleep — even if just a little — and all heal in time, although at varying speeds and some maybe never fully.

I am incredibly lucky that cancer got better. It’s not always the case and is never a certainty.

But either way, enjoy each sunrise you’re given. Accept help when offered and ask for it if it’s not. Take nothing for granted and everything as an opportunity for happiness, love, memories.

Find what brings you joy and be selfish in pursuit of it, so long that it doesn’t steal the joy of others.

Be an ambassador for good and recruit others to join you. Spread love without restrictions, caveats, or qualifications. Everyone deserves love and respect and joy.