First and foremost, I love the meaning of Christmas. Celebrating Jesus' birthday is just awesome! Although the 25th is not actually His birthday, the whole birth of Jesus in itself is phenomenal! I cannot imagine what the world would be without his birth. And being born in a manger? Wow, who gets to experience that? The entire Christmas story is just profound.
Secondly, I love the decorations, the music, the lights, the trees, the entire spirit and everything that Christmas entails. I love driving down streets and seeing people's lights up and decorations in the windows- it gives me such a warm and fuzzy feeling. I turned my Sirius radio on Christmas tunes today, and I am sure the radio station will not change until the holidays are over! Frosty the Snowman, Jingle Bells, and my all time favorite-- Sleigh Ride! I cannot sing worth a darn, but I will belt out each and every song no matter if I am in the car alone or I have people with me. I just cannot contain myself!
And third, I love presents! I love giving them and I will not lie, I love receiving them! It's so fun! Now, I am a horrible shopper. I hate malls, department stores, etc. Crowds make me nervous, I get cold sweats, I am scared of all the people's germs, and I don't like searching for random things to buy. I like to have a purpose when shopping. Know what you want to buy, find it, buy it and get out as fast as possible!! So for the past few years, I have started online shopping. The problem with this, is when you online shop, you get the presents early. Yes, it's fun to wrap and have pretty packages under the tree, but here is where my Christmas spirit gets the best of me. Once I have purchased a present for someone, I want to give it to them-- NOW. Not on the 25th, but NOW! And when I know someone has bought me a present, I want it NOW. Not on the 25th, NOW! And this has already happened to me this year. Both in giving and receiving! I am the absolute worst-- here is what happened.
Giving: So my mother has had an old TV set that weighs about 100 pounds for the past billion years. Don't get me wrong, it worked fine- but it is nothing like TV's are today. She has mentioned getting a new TV for a long time. Well, being that my mother is my best friend, does everything and more for my sister and I, I decided, on BLACK FRIDAY to go out and buy her a 42" Flat Screen LCD television and television stand. Poor Patrick got off work at 8:00am and I drug him to Target on the worst shopping day of the year to buy this TV. So once we had the purchase in our car, I asked:
"Where the heck are we gonna keep it?"..
I then reply back to myself...
"I want her to have it now."
So NOW is what Mom had. On 11/27/09 Patrick and I showed up on her doorstep with this television. No wrapping. No bows. Just a big Merry Christmas. Needless to say, she was in shock and loved it! Her face was priceless! Another reason I love Christmas! The face of surprise when you give a really good gift! We got it hooked up and the new stand together ("we" meaning Patrick). She has loved it since!
Receiving: I get a text today from Patrick that says: "Honey, I got your Christmas present today." Here is what I hear in my head "OMG Becky.. He bought me my present already!-- He has it now! What is it? What did he buy? I wonder if he will give me a hint, I wonder if I can have it NOW??" So I text back and ask all the pertinent questions. He laughs and I think, "why is he laughing? I want it now!" I go home for lunch and he has a small black jewlery bag sitting on the counter. He tells me if I want it now, I can have it. What?? He said I can have it now? Then before opening it, I start feeling guilty-- "I should wait. I don't want to wait. It's only 3 weeks away, Becky, you can wait." The internal conflict was horrific. I decide to call mom, she says "WAIT." So, I opened it. I got the sweetest police badge pendant necklace ever! I absolutely love it!
Am I horrible? NO!! Here is my thought. My favorite saying is "Live today as if it's your last." Because in truth, we never know when that last day will be. What if I waited and never got to see it, or what if I waited to give mom her gift and God forbid, something happened. Why not experience the joy now? Take advantage of everything you have, while you have it. Cause tomorrow is NEVER certain!
Enjoy the season everyone! Experience everyday- soak it all in. Love one another and make peace, because we never know what tomorrow will bring!
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