Christmas mayhem

“Are you ready for Christmas?”

I’ve been asked this question a thousand times this week. Well, maybe not quite a thousand, but it has happened a lot.

Here is the answer:

No.

No, Karen, I am actually not ready for Christmas. Not at all.

For one thing, I still haven’t learned how to play the piano well—so the dream of my family gathering around the piano and singing while I play gorgeous accompaniment remains a dream. I mean, I do have three days. Miracles happen.

Secondly, I haven’t quite overcome my tendency to procrastinate, so there is a significant amount of wrapping to do. And when I say significant, I really mean ALL of it, Karen. Thanks for asking.

Finally, I have not mastered how to enjoy the season. This is no surprise to my family. They get a front-row seat to my over-the-top, often ridiculous, neurotic outbursts throughout December. Sigh. A life coach or not, I’m still in a place where Christmas feels chaotic and stressful, and really overwhelming. So in that way, I find myself ready for Christmas to be O.V.E.R.

When I’m feeling a little snarky like this, I remember my favorite Christmas story.

It never disappoints.

My dad was very young, about 6 or 7, and his mom’s extended family got together to celebrate Christmas. Everyone was there—grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins. In the very late hours of Christmas Eve, my dad got his little brother, Doug, (who was only 2 or 3) engaged in a little mischief.

Those two boys unwrapped EVERY SINGLE PRESENT under the tree! Every present.

Christmas morning came.

No one knew which present was from whom, and my dad was in quite a bit of trouble. 😂

Merry Christmas, everyone.