Is it me or is there a lot of tension in the air? I feel it when I’m out. Even when I’m driving, I sometimes feel heaviness around me. I think the last few years has battered a lot of us and this time of year kind of amplifies those feelings. Even the most optimistic person can feel cynical. I think if we take a step back and look at what is going on in our own lives I think we can realize we are all going through something and hopefully be a little kinder.

Since we moved to South Carolina, the holidays can sometimes feel like a game of tetris. When are Steve, Billy and Cassie off of work? Will we be able to go to Maryland? Are we driving? Book a hotel room, book flights… Buy presents…etc, etc. Add in emotions, it can be a lot. Man I feel overwhelmed just typing this. Even if you live close to your family, the logistics can still be hard to figure out.

So how to deal with it all? First turn off the dang TV and limit social media. We were not built to consume so much information. Sometimes just putting our attention on the things we can control in front of us can help.

Let go of expectations (I’m still working on this one) and what things “should” look like. Would I love my kids together with me every holiday? Of course but when you have adult children especially like mine who live in different states, it can’t always happen. I cherish the moments I see my kids, family and friends whether that is all together or at different times now. It’s precious.

Another thing I wish I would have done when my kids were younger was slow the heck down and not over schedule. The years our kids are young and we have them at home is short. The days are long, but I promise you those years fly by. In all of the craziness, a quiet day at home watching a movie, baking cookies or making crafts can be the best memories your kids can have when they get older. I can promise you that because Ben and I just finished baking cookies and he talked about how we used to do all of those things. The sad thing is, I can promise you I was stressed out. I so wish I could go back and tell myself that I was going to miss those moments so much, to look at those babies and just be present. That the year Ben’s elf costume didn’t fit anymore or when Cassie and Billy were dancing on the table to Elvis singing Blue Christmas will make my heart hurt. That’s why I want to be present now. I don’t want to put expectations on anything and just enjoy what is.

I started reading one chapter of the book of Luke each night, it’s not too late to start. If you have a favorite way to celebrate Advent let me know if the comments.

Lots of Love,

Missy