Decorating for Christmas

I never used to allow Christmas decorations to be put up until after December 6, Michael's birthday. But today Drew asked if he could get the tree out and start. Drew never knew Michael, wasn't even thought of when Michael died. Kiel was only a baby and doesn't remember Michael at all. It is about time I moved on from that tradition. Not that I will forget Michael, but there is no sense hanging on to sadness. So I told Drew to go ahead.

True to his word, he dragged the artificial tree into the living room and set it up. Never mind fluffing out the branches or plugging it in. It is enough to start the ball rolling. And he did bring up the box of decorations. Slowly over the next few days I knew we would pick away at decorating. I am still somewhat done in by the darn chemo stuff, but I am enjoying starting the Christmas season early.

Last year Christmas was so tinged by Dad's illness and passing that it was barely acknowledged. I am sure the boys missed the normal cheer. They never spent a lot of time with their Grandpa. By the time they were old enough to engage in conversation, Dad was slowing down and often too tired to interact with them when we visited. But they respected my emotions and toned the holiday down.

I sense that Drew's eagerness to kick start the celebration is driven in part by last year's quiet Christmas and last year's cancer junk from me. So I am happy to accommodate his wishes. Let's have a joyous and light hearted time this year and keep the lights going. I even managed to hang a handful of ornaments and fluff a few branches while he was flitting about. Yeah! Christmas! Let the merriment begin.