In a year when people are getting trampled to death for cheap wrapping paper, when cities are under siege, when the stock market is wiping out 401K’s, when my husband is damn lucky to still have a job, when my kids are *this* close to outgrowing that magic twinkle in their eyes that only December can bring, I thought it was high time to shake up my holiday traditions. This year, I’m channeling the ghosts of my Christmas past, present and future in order to rediscover what it’s all about, and I’m dedicating this whole week on my blog to just that. Because, really, in the end, what we do and what we give can reflect what Christmas is about for you, and what it’s about, for me, is this:
It’s about putting a song in our heart
About what’s precious
About wishing on the brightest star
About supporting our friends
About laughing so hard we pee a little
About keeping the magic alive
About creating
About discovery
And about remembering why it all matters in the first place.
Tagged with: christmas, weekly winners
tiff
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 2:24Oh.
That was beautiful. Very very beautiful
and now I’m crying
over photos and beauty and the spirit of the season.
Zoeyjane
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 3:38Fuck, yes. {excusez mon francais}
Lisa
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 4:38*clapping* How true…perfect!
Lisa- Domestic Accident
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 6:51Just perfect.
Lisa- Domestic Accident wrote..Before you shop
Jim
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 7:07Fantastic! I’m with you all the way.
Jim wrote..Sunday Randomness
Jeanette
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 7:35absolutely lovely!! I love this time of year!
SciFi Dad
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 7:52Great post. We need this kind of spirit, especially, as you said, this year.
SciFi Dad wrote..Reflections
Rachel
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 7:54I don’t celebrate Christmas, but I think the meaning of Chanukah is the same idean (without the tree, but supporting friends)
also -I have that same tv stand
Rachel wrote..Today
jGrrl
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 7:58You just reminded me of many holidays at home with my grammy. It was so wonderful back then, thank you, this post is beautiful :)
jGrrl wrote..Funneee Ball!
Iris
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 8:17Great kickoff to the most overwhelming time of year… particularly this year. GULP. Thanks for the perspective, Mr. Lady! Great photos too!
Iris wrote..The Sound of Silence
Mom24@4evermom
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 8:49Great perspective. I’m struggling with this one big time. We have no money for Christmas. I will definitely go happily in debt for it, I just need to not go too far in debt. It makes me sad that we have very few, very few, twinkle in their eyes christmas’ left. We definitely need to pay attention to other traditions.
Mom24@4evermom wrote..The Letter Game
Melisa
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 9:23LOVELY. Really. It would be wonderful if everybody could keep all of this in mind.
Melisa wrote..99 Luftbalons Things
perksofbeingme
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 9:36This is great. So many people get wrapped (pun intended) up in buying presents that just being thankful/grateful for family gets lost. Thanks for this.
perksofbeingme wrote..I need help for one of my classes
matt
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 9:59That shot of your daughter is without a doubt one of the cutest I have ever seen, and I appreciate the sentiment. Truly.
The Yule Log is pretty sweet too.
matt wrote..Get Out ‘Your Seat and Snoop Around
Diane
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 10:00I’m feeling more Grinch-like than normal this year, so I needed that. Thanks!
Diane wrote..Can You Imagine?!
daysgoby
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 10:02Are you going to do a post about each of those pictures?
That would be neat….
daysgoby wrote..is there a tree under there?
Kate
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 11:20I second that!
Maybe it ties in with my quest to simplify, but I just don’t want or need a bunch of “stuff” this year. I have everything I need already. Truly.
Kate wrote..Another 25…
April
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 11:25Maybe this sucky economy is going to help remind all of us that Xmas needs to be a little bit more about appreciating what we do have.
April wrote..My Thanksgiving was Better than Yours
Anita Kaiser
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 11:33Oh yeah – you got it girl! Love the photos!
Anita Kaiser wrote..Best Friends
Katherine
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 11:41Oh my god I still dream about that yule log!
I love this post – we’re taking a similar, more thoughtful approach this year too. Wish you were here for Christmas! (And where is that damn cat, anyway?)
Katherine wrote..Under the Influence
jennydecki
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 11:48Love it! My girls are just at the age where they almost “get” what Christmas is. Hubby and I have been discussing traditions, because whatever we do now will be the story they tell when they’re adults. “When i was a kid we used to do … (insert cool thing here.)”
Now I just have to come up with some cool shit. That way when they get married the other family won’t have the cool tradition and they’ll want to come here.
Aw yeah, family manipulation while they’re still toddlers.
THAT is what Christmas is REALLY about. Right? *grin*
Lee the MWOB Queen
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 12:23Oh Mr. Lady – what a week to be reading you. You got a lot of heart oozing out – not sure how you feel about that – : – ) but I really love this post. And for reminding us to kick-off this Christmas season just right.
And I’m planning on doing it just that….
Happy Sunday.
Lee the MWOB Queen wrote..I’m fried.
One Mom's Opinion
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 12:40Lovely post and so timely. I find it harder every year to get into the spirit. It’s so much easier when kids are smaller. Then, it’s all about them, decorating and cookies. Granted, it’s still all about Harley, but it’s different as he gets older. I have never understood the non-stop shopping craze and the Black Friday scene.
This year, I’m worried as I’m starting to notice the small businesses that are going under locally and the large number of people that are struggling. Though, often it is hard to see because everyone seems to be spending money, shopping and eating out. Thousands are going to food pantries that have never done so before and pantries across the country are turning people away. We take it for granted that families can keep food on the table.
One Mom’s Opinion wrote..Take the test…Civics Quiz
the planet of janet
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 14:18yes. just … yes.
the planet of janet wrote..Haiku Friday: the what-the-?? edition
Ree
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 14:57clap, clap, clap.
Thank heaven for friends like you.
Ree wrote..NaBloPoMoOhMahHolyHell
Tara R.
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 16:21Amen! And I want that feeling back, dangit!
Tara R. wrote..Junk Drawer Sunday ~ friends and family
Rachel
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 16:38Beautiful sweetie. Exactly. I love the pictures.
Rachel wrote..Mouthwatering Loaded Potato Soup
Lorna
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 17:19Why do I seem to be the only one who’s wondering what the hell that Christmas Penis thing is about?
Lorna wrote..It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, In A Sad Kinda Way
tracey
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 18:14Durn tootin.
Sounds like a good plan for the week. Can’t wait to read your posts!
tracey wrote..dvk hulbgareRAR G
Special K
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 19:48First..that was beautiful and second..is that last picture recent? Are you trying to tell us something? Or am I just making too much of it?
Special K wrote..Black Friday
Punditdad
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 20:41Good tidings and cheers! I like your thoughtful thoughts and whatever. BTW, got 75 pages (37K words) into my book and my hard drive had a stroke. All is lost and so did I. Move on I hope. :(
Punditdad wrote..Blog Cynicism Disease
Melanie @ MelADramatic Mommy
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 20:46Lovely. I read somewhere that a woman asked her kids what they got for Christmas the year before and none could remember. We’re getting our son one big gift (from Santa) that we know he will love and appreciate and then a few small stocking stuffers from us. Though now I feel like a schmuck for posting the 5 things I’d put on my wish list if money were no object.
Melanie @ MelADramatic Mommy wrote..Breast Cancer 3Day Day 2 Pictures
Kim
Sunday, 30 November, 2008 at 20:59Great post Shannon.. great message. I am looking forward to the up coming week..
Kim wrote..Weekly Winners
Jack
Monday, 1 December, 2008 at 2:31Bah. I hate the holiday season and can’t wait for it to end.
Jack wrote..I Hate The Holiday Season Continued
Kelley
Monday, 1 December, 2008 at 5:06Tonight, while trimming one of the trees with me, Moo and I were talking about what Christmas means to us. To Moo it is all about the decorations. The presents are great and all, but Christmas to her is the decorations. That is so awesome. And gunna be damn cheap too cause all I am gunna get her now is a stick of deodorant and some gum. Wrapped really really nice like. ;)
(beautiful post babe, as always. Damn you)
Kelley wrote..She stands naked before me in the lounge room.
BusyDad
Monday, 1 December, 2008 at 11:32Wicked freakin awesome! Was that a camo stuffed penis??
BusyDad wrote..All These Things That I’ve Done
flickrlovr
Monday, 1 December, 2008 at 13:21As usual, you hit the nail on the head. Looking forward to all the Christmasey rediscovery throughout the next week.
flickrlovr wrote..NaBloPoMo Day 1: Bloggy Tips
VegasDad
Monday, 1 December, 2008 at 14:31Great post. Sometimes we lose sight of what it all means. I’m happy to see you’re examining it this year. We’re doing the same.
VegasDad wrote..to cut, or not to cut?
Gnilleps
Tuesday, 2 December, 2008 at 11:30That was sweet.
Jaina
Wednesday, 3 December, 2008 at 13:43Absolutely right. I love this post. And ::hugs:: to the last one that I was too late to comment on.
Jaina wrote..Christmas Cards
Missives From Suburbia
Wednesday, 3 December, 2008 at 20:06So beautiful.
Missives From Suburbia wrote..Real Estate Schadenfreude