Join the Tuesday Slice of Life!
As many of you know, I write a Slice of Life every Tuesday. Usually I write it on Sunday because my weeks are full of lesson plans, school, meetings, errands… But this weekend I finished up the Christmas preparations. Yesterday, I ran errands. So this morning I am sitting in my warm kitchen with my dog Charlie on my lap, knowing that soon we will all be in here, my husband, my daughters, and me, cooking up a storm. I will attempt to make my mother’s dressing for tomorrow’s dinner. Jeff will be making a gumbo for tonight’s Christmas Eve celebration, and Martha will make lemon squares. But at this moment, I am having a quiet cup of coffee and listening to the calm.
Christmas is a wonderful time of year, but it can also be stressful. Even when I try to keep it low stress, stress creeps its ugly head in at some point or another. Yesterday, it came to me while I drove through CVS. I drove into the wrong lane, the drop off lane. I yelled at the poor clerk, “Was there a sign to tell me I couldn’t pick up here!”
Later I returned. No, I didn’t circle around and try again. I left. But the errand had to be done, so I tried again when I was calmer. The sign could not have been bigger on the overhang. On the left, Pick Up, and on the right, Drop Off Only. What an idiot! I smiled at the clerk and wished her a Merry Christmas. And I learned a lesson.
I hope your day today is free of stress, mixed with calm and chaos, and full of love.
Christmas Haiga by Margaret Simon. Photo by Michelle Zimmerman
Reflections on the Teche 
Thank you for the perfect message for my morning. I am sitting here in the calm while the rest of the house still sleeps, and I need to remember to be present and receive the gift of my mother and brother when they awake!
Merry Christmas!!
While the chaos that is the holidays brings its own host of memories, sometimes the quiet ones sit the best in your mind. Enjoy every moment.
I agree with Mary Lee! I, too, am sitting here enjoying my coffee and the lit tree, but knowing that today will be crazy and full of people, and it will be easy to forget that tiny baby in a manger. Thanks for this important reminder! (And it’s good to know someone else has moments like this! Been there done that!)
Margaret,
I feel your pain…my stress came yesterday. I will not leave the sorted details but add that my lesson was to make sure I follow up when I say I will!
I am experiencing my calm now. Just finished homemade pizzas, sitting by the fire, reading slices and watching Rudolph. Still have wrapping to do, but enjoying this time. Merry Christmas, Margaret!
The calm is important, Margaret, and I hope you find joy in those quiet moments just as the hectic life takes hold. I know I need the calm as much as anything.
Sincerely,
Kevin
PS — You’re now part of my 50 comments / 50 blogs / 50 days #nerdlution effort and of course, you are always part of my Slice of Life crew.
Have a great day.
Thanks, Kevin. I didn’t do nerdlution. I admire your commitment.
Don’t you hate it when you snap at people. Gumbo sounds yummy. Hope you have a mindful Christmas.