Christmas Eve

Dearest reader,

It's Christmas Eve, and if you are reading my blog, I worry this day could suck for you.

But YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

The truth is, the holidays are miserable for MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.

Why?  BECAUSE OF ALL THE UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS!!  THERE IS SO MUCH PRESSURE FOR THIS TO BE THE PERFECT DAY...

The wind-up to Christmas is so intense.  The movies, the music, the television shows.  It's everybody's favorite day of the year -- right??  It's about getting together, enjoying family traditions, elaborate meals and delicious goodies.  It's a day of sharing and caring -- opening thoughtful, personal gifts.  All love and laughter -- Right?

And if you don't own a piece of that Christmas Fairy-tale -- well -- that might suck.

We all crave the perfect Norman Rockwell holiday...and if that's not happening for you -- just remember --

YOU ARE NOT ALONE...

A friend of mine told me her challenge was to make Christmas "just another day".  Hey -- that's a decent goal!  Even though she was invited to spend Christmas at a neighbor's house -- she didn't feel like she'd fit in...and she was afraid she'd bring down the spirit of their holiday...

So -- HOW DO YOU MAKE CHRISTMAS JUST ANOTHER DAY?

Do something you enjoy.

HEY -- I WRITE.  It always makes me feel better.  Write a letter to your dead Grandmother,  who you adored....thank her for your wonderful childhood Christmas's.  Or -- write a letter to the grandchild you wish you had.  It's not about sending the letter -- it's only about WRITING IT.

One of my favorite things is to SEW.  And if you're like me, you have lots of UFO's...so TODAY IS THE DAY...and I always feel better after I've finished a project.

Do you enjoy cooking?  THEN JUST DO IT.  Look up a new recipe on the internet.  Shop for the groceries at Walmart.  (they're open until 6 on Christmas Eve).  Or -- you might have to go to a Kwik-Star or WaWa.   Bake something you will enjoy and look forward to...Or have a grilled cheese with a can of tomato soup.  Hey -- what the hell -- eat a whole pan of fudge.

Of course -- whatever you enjoy -- NOW IS THE DAY TO DO IT.  Read a book, paint a picture, watch a movie, shop on the internet, clean a closet, take a bubble bath, shampoo your carpets, clear out your basement...wash your car...

Oh, yeah, I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel, girls...but if you are reading this blog on this day, I worry about you.  (and I'm only leaving it up for TWO days -- then I'll push the delete key and we'll act like this never happened...)

Maybe you just want to curl up and sleep.  That''s okay, too.  Accept that it's okay to be sad -- it's an important part of the human spectrum, isn't it?  And you are not alone...on any given day, millions of people are sad.  And tomorrow is another day.

Remember -- the very best thing about Christmas is that -- IT IS NOT YOUR LIFE.

Christmas really is JUST ONE DAY!!