Are you strapped in? This week begins the “OMG, it’s less than a month before Christmas” panic that seems to afflict people – and especially mothers – throughout the land. The perfect joyous season our friendly advertisers bring us also results in a lot of stress and anxiety. There’s so much to do, so many places to be and so many events to attend that it can all feel a little overwhelming.
This year, it seems particularly stressful. December is a whirlwind of Christmas concerts – between my daughter and I, our performances number close to 10 over three weekends. That we’re somewhat used to.
But it’s also “check out university campuses” time for soon-to-graduate teens, so I’ve lost my last two weekends to touring schools with my son in cities many (many!) hours away. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ve loved every minute of the time I’ve spent with him. We have racked up about 16 hours of driving time; add that to overnights and meals and we’ve covered every topic imaginable and I know now a lot more about his musical interests.
It’s just that now I’m faced with the holidays in 20-something days and I’ve done absolutely nothing to get ready for it. Don’t expect a card in the mail or any baking if you come to visit. With the tree to decorate, all the shopping to do, meals to plan (and music still to learn!), I’m almost vibrating with stress.
Which is why I checked out for an hour or so this morning.
I could have spent the time in between dropping my daughter off and slipping into the back of the church to hear her sing doing something productive. In fact, I probably should have.
Instead, I left my phone at home, took myself off to a local coffee shop, grabbed a sunny table in the front, uncapped my pen, opened my journal, gazed out the window and forced myself to simply “be”. OK, sure, I did take advantage of some of my time there to make a list or two , but for the most part, I genuinely slowed down for the first time in a long time.
I watched runners speed by, puffs of breath visible in the cold morning air. Dogs, both long in the tooth and exuberant puppies waited patiently for their owners who were lined up for their jolt of caffeine. A few dads came in with little ones in strollers and a few elderly couples strolled past me on their “morning constitutional”. There were no families though – perhaps they, unlike me, were still rushing around with too much to do.
What is it about life in the 21st century that has us rushing all the time? What’s the hurry? And why do we allow the stress to increase so much as we approach the holidays? These are meant to be times of simplicity – of spending time with people you enjoy and sharing their experiences.
This year especially, as we have seen so much violence, cruelty and heartbreak around the world, I feel especially drawn to create a simpler Christmas. I want to hold my loved ones close, take the time to write letters – not 140-character social media posts – to my far-flung friends, and invite those who live nearer into my home for low-key socializing.
The usual orgy of gifting seems a little embarrassing this year. My church is getting ready to sponsor some refugee families. A few less “somethings” for my family may help get them here faster. And a few less indulgences might mean even more to people who cannot leave. It may be just a drop in the bucket, but every drop means the vessel is closer to being full.
So here’s a small warning to my family. The packages under the tree this year may be fewer, but I hope the memories will be brighter as we spend quality time together. And maybe I’ll find a few more hours to let the world slow down – even if just for a while.
