Merriment or Too Much of a Good Thing?

Cindy Georgakas

Dec 27

My son captured this picture driving home to L.A. this morning which inspired my words

fiery sunrise

light burning inner vistas

orange skies enlighten

Few things matter more than being with family, friends and sharing time with my kids. I was so touched when my son called me and wanted to spend some time together. When he asked me he said "but what will we do, we have nothing in common". He set up 2 full days of golf with my husband so I know he wanted to make sure he put me into the equation, somehow. We set up time for a hike (which never actually happened) and shopping and dinner. We had a great time with enriching conversation. That's the most I could ever hope for as a mom.

We all had lots of merriment and fun times together with the babies first Christmas. I don't take any of it for granite as I know these windows change quickly and at a minutes notice.

As I was hanging the stockings that I didn't stuff for the first time this year which ws a welcome change, I debated on putting them up at all. And then I had an epiphany and thought, "I won't always get to hang stockings or have the energy to put them out at some point, which gave me renewed appreciation to roll up my sleeves and find the spirit of Christmas inside and enjoyment of seeing them charm our fire place.

It turns out the girls decided to buy 2 stocking gifts for each of them and stuff them themselves. When they opened them on Christmas morning, I remembered all of the years I went to such great length in picking out special things. At first I felt a little sad that I hadn't done it but there was a bigger part of me that felt really happy to watch them continue the tradition and watch them gleam. They even got a few things for me which was so sweet. This will be the last time we're all together for the holidays, since my daughter will go to her husbands families house next year which will be a huge change for us that we will adapt to.

Life changes at a moments notice.
Just when we think we have things figured out,
we must learn to roll with the punches.

Cindy

We had lots of fun dinners and time together, playing games, watching movies etc but we were busy every night. My dad had a Christmas party for the first time ever at his new residential home and I helped him organize and decorate. He even hired my cousins, cousins, Kerrie and Sheryl, "The Keller Sisters, who sing professionally, daughters of film and theater performer, " Eileen Christy".

My dad broke into a song which was amazing and my mom and I danced with my 97 year old Father In Law in his wheelchair. He looked up and said I miss dancing, that was so much fun. And then he said, "I miss a lot of things". My mother near fell and pulled his wheelchair along with him. My SIL reprimanded her saying "be careful", we don't want you to fall and hurt yourself.!" We all know that falling if the kiss of death for aging bodies.

Compassion for others is heartfelt when seen through your children's eyes and you know you have taught them to honor those that have honored them.

Cindy

I'm not sure if we had more fun or the babies did but I'm pretty sure it was all of us, with the beaming and exhausted faces of the parents. Both babies ended up with colds, AGAIN and luckily my immune system rallied and all of the kids got sick and the parents and their auntie and my husband. Luckily the great grands are ok (so far).

There is such a thing as too much Christmas which we experienced as well so I'm taking a much needed break to regroup and unwind. My back is talking to me and I'm listening.

The hope of Christmas is never forgotten.
Beautifully set tables of crystal,
pressed table clothes,
dressed in our 9's,
shimmery lite candles,
all warm the heart.
Presents adorn the Christmas tree,
grace is delivered with words that bless the soul
by my 87 year old mother with tempers that flair,
she can't control.

Soon I'm choking on my food when fights get picked,
undercurrents of envy are thick with toxicity, looming.
Suffocation envelopes me with
the pretense that everything is lovely and beautiful,
with over drowning voices,
piercing ears that wish for a silent night.

temperatures rise,
spewing venom
picking fights;
there's only one thing to do
as we wash dishes,
stuff our pockets with chocolate and flee.
Sometimes you forget just how toxic situations
can be so you try again and remember,
why you won't again.

Back at the manger,
the tree twinkles,
the babies coo,
we iron out the wrinkles
with a silent night
and all is bright.

I would love to hear how you navigated your holidays. Did you have any of the same contrasts I experienced? We continue to learn lessons about ourselves every day and every year, until we really get the message. Often we go into amnesia when the holidays roll around and we forget what the actuality of the days are since it's been 365 days since we experienced them last.

Debriefing after a toxic event is really important so you can let go of any upsetting feelings and move on. It's also important so you can remember what feeds your soul and what depletes you, so can make changes in how you move into the holiday for next year. Write them down NOW so you don't forget and repeat the same patterns over again.

I hope you had moments of joy and remembered to learn the lessons of each experience you encountered. Our hearts are bigger than our gut at times which can get us in trouble. We want to extend ourselves and try to bring joy to others by attending things that end up not being in the best interest of anyone. It's best to realize that and make choices that serve yourself which end up being best for everyone concerned as well.

Thank you for being a bright spot in my life and supporting me in all of my endeavors this year. I'm grateful to have like minded individuals to share the path with in our writing and lives. I so much appreciate your support and I am so grateful for our connection.

I will be on break until the New Year to rejuvenate and read my book again. 😂 You know the saying that we teach what we need to learn most and I'll head back to the drawing board. I will also attempt to read 2 books for my book clubs and start on some of my TBR books hopefully. I will most likely read you on your sites, just not be writing unless it is with comments off with a burning share.

Blessings of love to you as you end your year and look forward to 2024 and thank you truly from the bottom of my heart for being here on my blog, buying my book, reviewing it and sharing it with others.

Stay blessed and true to your heart.

All My Love,

❤️

Cindy

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