No stress

I saw them all around me, those women scurrying around getting ready for the big day - Thanksgiving and the arrival of family or preparation to travel where family would be waiting. Some took the entire day off to clean and cook and take care of the myriad details involved in being a good hostess. Others didn't have the luxury of taking the day off, and were harried and rushing and not focused on work, but on the huge 'to do' list.



For once, I stood in neither camp. I had decided not to go to Mom's, and my boys were not coming to see me. I was sad to think I wouldn't see my kiddos or my parents, but perfectly happy not to have to fuss over cooking or packing. No deadline about getting the house in order, no stretching dollars to try and have everything on hand that might be needed, no nagging boys to pick up their rooms - just looking forward to some time off to spend however one wanted. What an extravagant treat!



Drew thought we should order pizza, I wanted a traditional turkey dinner (ordered from Wegmans of course), and my sister suggested we compromise and get turkey pizza! Turns out we were invited to a colleague's house for dinner, so we both got what we wanted. Work let out at three pm (bless you RWC!) and I had just time for a doctor appointment and a quick trip to Wegmans for pie fixings before choir practice.



It was pouring down rain - a regular monsoon - and Wegman's parking lot was so crowded we had to circle a few times before we found a spot. We managed to get inside without getting drenched, and there was nary a cart to be had. The aisles were packed with bleary eyed shoppers throwing whatever they could grab into their carts. Life is so complex, and work so demanding (who doesn't work at least two jobs these days) that few have time to prepare ahead. It was difficult to navigate, especially at intersection traffic jams.



Voices were tense, grace strained, and every checkout lane manned and busy. We found the flour and other few things we needed and stood in line. I observed my fellow line-standers. Some were consulting their lists, others talking on the phone (arguing might be a better word), others sighing heavily or tapping their foot impatiently, some fussing about one thing or another. No one was having a good time, that was quite clear.



How sad that at a time of year dedicated to counting blessings, so few people were even aware of how truly good things are. We face no floods, no fires, no droughts, no war, no famine. Yes, there are personal battles, but on the whole, things are going well. It is the time factor as much as anything. With so much out-of-the-house work, and no one at home taking care of things, we become so quickly overwhelmed.

I think I am glad that I have a small apartment. Less is more. And without the stress of travel or entertaining, I am free to enjoy this holiday time. I appreciate it all the more because I know it will not always be so. It is a rare year that finds me free in such a way. So I am thankful for this season and will treasure it well, applying the lack of stress to the mending from life's hard times. How lucky I am!