Exhausted

Why am I so tired? I know I waited until the last minute to begin my Christmas shopping, but I just couldn't manage to free up enough time to think about what I ought to get for my kids and grand kids. After all, I had those relentless paper deadlines and so much reading to complete, not to mention music to conquer.

Now, all that is said and done other than a few more Christmas music events but we are prepared. I begin to make a list. I am terrible at figuring out what to get people. I suppose that is mostly because my kids live so far away and I only get to see them a few times a year. I have lost touch with what they are passionate about, what they delight in, what is most recent in their experience list.

I either have to fall back on what I used to know they liked, or keep asking until I get some clue. I know how frustrating it is to be asked what you want for Christmas when you have no idea yourself. Or at least no idea what the budget is. I tried to tell them that part so they think in the right price range and not in the triple digit area.

Christmas shopping at this late date means battling crowds, ill tempers, shortages, and bad weather. There is no help for it. I determine to accomplish this activity with JOY. I will not allow myself to fall victim to someone else's grumpiness. I will step out of people's way, let them pass, smile when reviled, and wish them well.

Let the pushy broad in the zippy sports car have the parking space even though you are there first. Let the Mom with three kids in tow step in the line in front of you and be willing to wait a bit longer, remembering how it was when your kids were little. Listen sympathetically to the harried store clerk when she really answers your question "How are you?" Better she blow off steam with you than explode on some poor customer.

It takes repeated trips to various malls to gather together the ingredients of a Merry Christmas for my little family. But at long last every person is checked off the list, and the bags of joy await a proper wrapping. It took some commitment to exhibit goodwill in the face of so much angst. But I have to say, not rushing and making a decision to be nice paid off. I actually enjoyed shopping (I know, hearing that from a woman may seem strange, but I have always detested the activity).

Wrapping will have to wait until I recoup energy. I want to enjoy that also and believe me, in the past wrapping has felt like torture. I happily check my calendar. I still have time. AND - bonus! Tomorrow I get my Vitamin B shot. Yeah!