2016

Home Alone?

                                                                                                              





I’m dreaming of a…

Like some of you, I’ll be home alone for Christmas. (My son and his family go to Iowa to the in-laws almost every Christmas.)

I’m trying to be proactive so I won’t get depressed and discouraged. Here’s some of the ideas I came up with. Maybe they’ll be helpful for you also. 

• I love reading mysteries so I’ve ordered a small stack of Christmas mysteries through Amazon & Abe books. Most are used; therefore, cheaper. I’ll curl up in my recliner & escape through the “who-dun-its.”

• I’m gathering up old videos of standard Christmas movies. My favorite is "A Wilderness Christmas."

• Because I live in a senior complex, there are others who are home alone. So 3 of us are having a traditional turkey dinner together.

• I’ll play the many CD’s and tapes of Christmas music I have boxed away. Even The Messiah, which I used to sing every year with a community chorale. I may even play some Christmas music on the piano for everyone.

• I’ll make something for my grandchildren when they return in January.

• I have hired a woman to clean my apartment in mid-December. It’s like my hair done. You feel so much better afterwards. Unlike my love for cooking, housekeeping is low on my what to do list.

• We have one restaurant that stays open Christmas Eve. I hope to go there even if I have to take a taxi. If I end up going alone, I’ll take one of those mystery books with me. And I’ll leave a big tip for the wait person, who gives up being with her family to serve me.

• My apartment is too small to do much decorating. So I’ve gotten my boxes out & will be giving away most of the decorations in the next week or so. Giving is what its all about, right? 

• I place my figurine of Santa kneeling at the manger in a prominent place hoping someone will ask about Santa and Baby Jesus.

• I will pray for family & friends, the homeless, the First Responders who must work over Christmas, those in the hospital, and children around the world. May the Lord bless them all with a special & happy day.

• I will take my medication as directed to avoid feeling yuk-y & low on energy.

• I will take time for an Advent Moment each day.

• I will use a cane when the sidewalks & parking lots are slippery. No broken hips for Christmas!

• Instead of sending lots of cards before Christmas, I’ll wait & take the time to thank folks with a handwritten note. I will pray for that person or family as I place a stamp on it. After Christmas, I prayer for everyone who sends me a card or letter. One card per day.

• What I won’t do: have a Pitiful Pearl party, stay confined to my apartment or keep my drapes closed. I will enjoy the sunshine- we have a lot of sunny days here in Central Oregon. I will enjoy seeing the majestic beauty of the snow on top of the Cascade Mountains. 

I hope that gives you a few ideas so you can create 

a time of rejoicing for God, who sent us His Son, the Messiah.

        ♫ Fall on your knees, oh hear the angel voices, 

oh night divine, oh night when Christ was born…♫

 Selah...

Think on these things,

Connie

Cinderella Syndrome

 During this holiday season, the Cinderella Syndrome causes disappointment and heartaches. Many believe this year they'll have a Currier & Ives/Hallmark Christmas. 

The family will gather and all get along. There will be enough money to buy all the gifts we desire. The cookies will get baked, and gifts wrapped before Christmas Eve. The house will sparkle ~ clean and Christmas-y. No one will get sick or hurt.

My favorite cartoon character, Maxine says: 

We set our expectations based on what others do, TV movies & commercials, etc. Thus we set ourselves up for failure. Uncle Joe will still drink too much. The kids will get tired and start fighting. The stuffing will end up on the floor while the dog takes off with a turkey leg. You'll forget the batteries or that simple to put together project will take all night. Or whatever ruins your Christmas each year.

This year change one thing, next year another, create new traditions that work. Your niece never likes anything you buy her? Stop searching for that "right present" and give her a gift card or cross her off your list. Instead of doing all the cooking, make it a potluck or forgo the big feast and have deli trays with a variety of dips and breads.

Draw names so your gift list is do-able. Simplify!  

Life changes. Finances vary. The children grow up and leave home. A loved one dies and is missed. You grow older and cannot do all that you used to.

Focus on the meaning of Christmas versus society's expectations.

When the clock strikes 12 midnight, Cinderella returns to her raggedy clothes and life. Unlike her, our Prince Charming rarely shows up to fix our lives.

I encourage you to do less and enjoy it more this holiday season. It has worked for me. The Christmas season is relaxing and fun because I determined to make changes and did. It's healthier, too- physically and mentally. 

Selah ~ think on this

Connie  

Also see consheartstrings.blogspot.com 

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