Deep breath, I coached myself. My eyes remained open as I complied, taking in, as I inhaled, our kitchen, with its holiday décor, my ever-present miscellaneous papers, and my “to-do” list, front and center.
We’ll get to that — deep breath first.
Chanukah is behind us, birthday celebrations are in progress, and Christmas is now 12 days away. That means only 11 days of shopping time.
You got this, girl.
Our holiday cards, save only a few, were posted yesterday. Not too much left to do, really. Some gifts to buy, it’s really not that hard. Making sure it’s even among the girls– that’s the trick.
“Lily only got three gifts last Christmas,” Everest informed me last night.
“Really?”
“Mia got five gifts, and so did I,” she continued.
“Hmm.”
The task of making sure things were “even-Steven” between my triplet daughters was ongoing, and my results imperfect.
My new motto is “embrace the imperfections in life.” Easier said than done, truth be told. It hurt a little to know that Lily got shorted last year, despite the fact that she’s our biggest shopper and typically never goes without.
Ahhh …the pressures of the season. We do enjoy, we do, we do. But the pressures are there, nevertheless, as is the related expense. G-d grant me serenity. In the words of Seinfeld’s Frank Costanza: “Serenity now!”
I am grateful for these few moments of peace, and the accompanying quiet in my house, with three newly ten year old daughters busy at school. I am grateful for the green in my backyard, and the sun that graces it. I am grateful for the leaves that are turning an orange-brown within it, thanks to cooler temperatures, even here in Southern California. And I am thankful for being full of life and healthy, so that I can experience joy with my family.
And that, to me, is the point of it all.