Good news...

In the past couple of weeks, we've gotten some pretty good news from several different people. First of all, we found out that my mother-in-law is coming up from Arkansas to visit for Christmas. This is good news because it's probably the only Christmas for a long time that all of her kids will be in the same general area for Christmas, since Brian's brother and his family just moved to Saginaw temporarily while he looks for a church and Brian's sister and her family will be moving to Boston after the new year (which isn't all that great of news, because we'll miss them, but is good news because Bill will enjoy his new job). Secondly, we found out that both of my sisters-in-law are pregnant and due sometime this summer, so I'll be an aunt twice over again next year. That's good news - more kids to spoil! :) And Christmas is just a couple of days away - also good news, because it means the nerve-wracking part of preparing bell solos and knowing that by the time Christmas Eve is over my brain will be fried will be over soon, not to mention that we get to spend time with both of our families.

Anyway, while I was thinking about all of the good news we've gotten lately, it made me think about Christmas, too. Lately I've been kind of bah humbug-ish - tired and kind of crabby, and just not in the Christmas spirit. I didn't really care if we put up a tree or made cookies, or any of that stuff. I was (well, still am) sick of the traffic in town and the way people get really crazy with their driving and cranky in line behind you (like the lady behind me in the self-checkout at Wal-Mart who counted my items and made a huge deal out of the fact that I had more than 10). But then I stopped, and had a blinding flash of inspiration (it's a good thing I can touch-type, eh?). I realized that I was acting more like the Grinch than anything, and that I need to focus on the real reason that we celebrate Christmas. It's not about Santa, or shopping, or slapping stuff on the tree so you can win the best decoration prize. It's not about the inflatables, or the blinking lights, or the presents. It's about love, and about compassion, and about being a better person, even if I don't remember that all the time. It's about what out department at work is doing - adopting a family and making sure that they have a good Christmas, but even then it's not about the "stuff" - it's about being able to help someone who needs it. I'm amazed at what we've been able to do for our Christmas family - a single mother with four kids under ten years old. And it makes me feel good to know what a great bunch of people I work with, because I know that none of us are doing it just to mark it off on a checklist as something you "have to do" at Christmas time. That's what Christmas is about - taking the time to help those who need it. It's also about letting the people you know know that they are loved and important to you. So here's to my friends and my family. I love you all and cherish the fact that you are in my life. Have a merry Christmas, and may Santa bring you everything you want!