Tradition

Christmas is a time to act with tradition as my guide. Or at least, it used to be. This year I am taking time to reflect upon tradition and question whether I really want to do something for the sake of tradition. I don't like doing something "just because I have always done it that way".

Gift-giving. In my family, no gifts were opened, or even seen!, until Christmas morning. In my hubby's family, Christmas gifts were opened Christmas Eve late at night. With them visiting last year, I conformed to the family way and we ripped into all our gifts apart before bedtime. At first I felt very excited! Like a kid! Like a teenager defying a parental rule! Of course, just like after having devoured a plate of cookies, I felt guilty and unsettled. Why is that? It isn't because I cared a great deal about the Christmas Eve vs Christmas Morning debate. It is because I had never done it before and it just didn't feel quite right. Perhaps I felt like if I told my parents they would raise an eyebrow in question, wondering what kind of strange people I have taken up with.

Of course, gift-giving is just one example of tradition. It isn't all about the gifts :)

This year, we are staying in Ottawa for Christmas, and there is no family coming to visit. We have a blank canvas to create our own Christmas tradition....or forget about the idea of tradition altogether and do what feels right for us, right now, this year without worrying that we are setting in stone the path for future yuletide festivities. Our one hope is that we can take time to spend some quality family time together, and that we can start leading the example that holiday season is more about family than keeping Future Shop in business. Given the dozens of gifts sent from family members to Sophie, we might have our work cut out for us....but we will do our best.

-jl

The Best Things

Sometimes, the best things in life are overlooked.
I tend to get easily caught up in things that have minimal long term importance.
These things, while necessary, shouldn't overshadow the truly amazing things in my life.

This morning, I pay homage to the things that are so good, I get warm and mushy when I give myself the opportunity to sit back and soak them in.

• In-laws. M's parents were visiting recently. Their absolute adoration and patience for Sophie is infectious. Plus, they taught her a lot of french. :) Having them around meant that we could get out of the house on a couple of dates. That was pure bliss.
• My folks. My dad is coming this weekend for an overnighter on his way home to NL. He is helping my uncle move to NL for Christmas. I wish I could be with my family for Christmas. I think I will make that happen next year.
• My partner in crime and child-raising. Watching him with Sophie melts me. She has him wrapped around her cute little slightly evil finger. She looks at him like there's no one else in the world. She has turned a big tough guy into a ball of mush. He is the best dad ever. On top of this dad-thing, he is an amazing partner. This love blows my mind.
• Sophie. There are no words. That smile stops me in my tracks. Her voice is the sweetest sound on earth. And her energy ignites me...and sometimes wear me down to a complete stop :)
• Our friends. We have such good friends. Friends who would drop their busy lives to give us an opportunity to get out and enjoy a hockey game or dinner. We are extremely thankful for having such good people in our lives. More importantly, we are happy that Sophie will grow up with them as family. Our chosen family.
• Weekends and vacation. aaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh.

-jl