The holidays are upon us. As soon as Halloween rolls around, one can sense heightened emotions with the impending season. Someone is irate because Costco already has Christmas decor displayed. The religious fight to keep the “Christ” in Christmas while the non believers petition to keep the nativity scene off city hall’s lawn.
Then we have real issues like families that cannot afford Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas presents for the family. Winter depression sets in and memories of Christmas past cause family rifts. The shopping craze begins. Many people spend more than they can afford to show people in their lives how much they care leaving the bills to the new year.
I am so keenly aware of how the holidays affect people because I suffer a bit each year. I spend a week preparing for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and I enjoy it. Christmas, though, proves to be quite difficult for me. Inevitably, I have a breakdown Christmas Eve. I just cannot duplicate the Christmas of my youth. You can read last year’s blog, “The Ghost of Christmas Past” to understand what part of my holiday was like. Shopping, wrapping, parties, cooking all take their toll by December twenty-fourth. What gets me at the core, though, is not being with my family in Boston. As much as I love Atlanta and my beautiful friends, I long to be with those who share my history. It would also be nice to show up at my aunt’s house not having to cook, but still enjoy the traditions of my childhood. I miss my grandmother and her ricotta pie. Now I have to make it myself. I am fighting the tears as I share this with all of you.
These feelings for me are short-lived. I have my crying spell and move on. I have a large family with whom I am obligated to share the true meaning of Christmas: love, appreciation for all the blessings and health. I also look to the upcoming year with hope and a sense of renewal. I love to ponder what the last year has meant to me and what can be improved upon over the next twelve months. A stiff vodka helps too. Hey, don’t fault me; moderation, right? January second is detox time.
Why do I share this with all of you? I am curious as to how all of you make it through the holidays. As you know, for me, The Only Way is Up. How do you define “The Only way is Up” during the hustle and bustle of the holidays? What do you do to make “The Only Way is Up” a reality for you through November and December? Maybe January is when you suffer the post holiday blues. Whatever your circumstances, I would like to know how you keep your chin up. Email me at steph@juststeph.com. You may be asked to be on my show to share your story with the world.
Tell me what’s going on in your life. I want to hear from you!
Wishing you love, balance and peace.
Amore & Baci (love & kisses),
Just Steph
