First, the rest of the story.
As you may remember, last week Kerry tried out for her high school’s musical. Wednesday evening the results were to be posted on the school’s website. Kerry went to the youth group’s Christmas party that evening so Gene and I nervously checked the website every few minutes from 7 to 8. Finally, at 7:55 the results were posted. Kerry made it—but not the role she wanted. She got a secondary role. We call it “the chorus”—no speaking lines and singing with the chorus, thus it’s called “the chorus.”
Oooo. Now what? Is this reason for celebration or consolation? We didn’t have to wonder for long. Kerry texted us from the bus (the group went roller skating). Kerry’s friend used her Blackberry to check the website. Kerry was thrilled as was evident by the all capital letters and multiple exclamation points she used in the text. Yea! We celebrated with her when she got home.
Later Kerry shared with me why she was so thrilled with her small part even though she worked hard (and is quite capable to have a larger role). “Mom, all the main roles were given to upperclassmen. I’m with my friends [also in “the chorus] and I know I have to work my way up.”
How wise. And to think I wanted to have a talk with the directors (still do).
Part II—A Few Survival Tips for the Last Few Days of the Christmas Season
I hate wording the title this way, but the more I talk with people about their Christmas plans, the more I realize that many of us will not spend Christmas in a Norman Rockwell setting. No family is perfect and for some surviving without raising their blood pressure several points is their only goal. Here are a few brief survival tips:
- Less is more. Talk less. You know how Cousin Ernie feels about (fill in a controversial topic) so don’t engage when he starts his rant. You will not convince him otherwise, so listen for a bit, then excuse yourself to walk your parents’ neighbors’ dog.
- Plead the Fifth. You don’t have to answer every question asked of you or give every detail of your personal/professional life. My grandpa had a great line that may come in handy for you. Consider it my gift to you. When asked a question that was nobody’s business he advised me to say, “I’ll forgive you for asking, if you forgive me for not answering.” Or if that’s too much to remember, Grandpa also used, “Now why would you want to know a thing like that?” Smile and then head for the eggnog.
- More Mary, less Martha. Now is the time to switch paradigms from Martha (busy, busy, busy, everything-to-everybody) to Mary (focus on what’s important—Jesus and people). How much hassle is a last-minute gift for the mailman worth or how much stress is it worth to send one last card to your best friend from the 8th grade? Christmas is not meaningful (and memorable) because of the infinite tasks we assign to ourselves or we take on from others. Christmas is meaningful and memorable when we worship Jesus and spend time with loved ones.
- Live in the moment. I’m not good at this, but this year I am learning to do it well. Kelsey is home from college for only 2 ½ weeks. Katie and Kerry are off school, too. So the weeks before and after Christmas are precious. We are enjoying each other’s company as we shop, bake, skate, stitch (the last few gifts), and wrap. Thinking about work and school is not allowed.
I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas.
Brenda
