This year I am bound and determined to have a “Holiday Season” to beat all prior attempts. It is going to be impervious to the usual schedule conflicts, family chaos, surprise guests, no-shows and uncooperative weather. I am going to be merry. My kids will embrace the joy of the season and fear the stealthy gaze of Santa’s elf. The tree will shine brighter and the food taste better. The drinks will be stronger and the hugs will last longer. And it all starts with Thanksgiving.
I have so much to be thankful for this year. Healthy kids who are (way too) full of positive energy, a new nephew who looks exactly like my brother (but cuter), a roof over our heads (that no longer leaks), a job that keeps me challenged and fulfilled (and very, very busy), a church that “gets” the challenges of being the parent of young kids (sorry in advance for whatever happens at the Christmas Pageant), a great community to call home (which we are quickly becoming an active part of) and great friends and family to share life with. Good stuff. Much thanks all around.
Christ’s birthday will be the center of the celebration and we will surround ourselves with all of the magic that brings. This always sparks a good conversation at some point from someone who asks, “How can you call yourself a Christian and then get so into the Santa thing?” I will preemptively refer to the previous blog post from December 2009 entitled “Just a clown at the party..." and get back to my eggnog, thank you very much. Our kids know without a shadow of a doubt what Christmas is all about.
We will be jolly this year. We will be merry. Lights will be hung. Trains will encircle the tree. Chevy Chase will repeatedly kick ornamental reindeer and punch Santa on his front lawn while I reflect on which member of my extended family most resembles Cousin Eddie. It is going to be a very good Christmas in the Blough household. Those around us will be welcome (and sometimes shanghaied) to join in the caroling and merriment.
But be warned…if you step on my porch, past the LED candy canes and nearly lifelike evergreenish garland with a bah humbug look in your eye…I will chase you back to your grinchy burrow faster than a 7-year old can open a loosely wrapped Nerf dart blaster.
Happy Thanksgiving and welcome to the season!
