Another difference this year is that we did not step foot in a single store to purchase presents. At least I didn’t. Every single gift was ordered and showed up on our doorstep {except, of course, one that is delayed… thanks, UPS}. I didn’t go shop the deals. I fell into the Gap… online. I made a list, checked it twice and took advantage of Amazon Prime and one-click ordering. And I didn’t miss the crazy lines. Or the parking. Or the bah humbuggers.
And we didn’t attend any Holiday parties. We didn’t don ugly Christmas Sweaters. Or exchange white elephant finds.
In fact, friends and family have come to us. Which I know is just a product of our current position. But it’s been a true blessing. Food has shown up at our door. Movies and coloring books for the boys. Offers of childcare, of rides, of pies. Gift cards for groceries and wares. Offerings of visits and any kind of help we might need. And whole Holiday hoopla plans modified. The outpouring of support has been humbling and heartfelt. And as 112% cliche as it sounds there is no other way to describe that, I feel, for this year, as though my cup runneth over. And over. And over. With beautiful souls surrounding the Brehm bunch.
Our priorities, for this year, have been streamlined. We’ve just spent our time between the house and Harrison. It might sound like we’ve said farewell to the festivity of it all. But really, we’ve still listened to and sang a fair amount of Christmas music. We’ve still discussed, daily, the reason for the season. Still taken in some Christmas movies. The boys had a trip with dad to see the man in red. And we’ve had a visit from one Mr. Elf who lives on a Shelf. So not all has been lost. We haven’t been thinking, “Where are you Christmas?”.
But it’s been a simpler season. The hustle and bustle have mostly disappeared. And it’s pretty remarkable. Because in a time that could have been very stressful, I’ve found solace in this Season. I’ve found a calm among the commotion. Rather than feeling sadness over not experiencing every piece of what the Season normally brings, I am finding peace in the different, if only for just a year.
As I watch our two oldest boys. I am taken with them. Their wonderment of the world at Christmas is illuminating. It is effervescent and bubbling over. Their sheer joy in singing Christmas carols and looking at lights, stirs my soul. And their spirit that they lend to the Season awakens the memories of my childhood and takes me to an uncomplicated time, and place. The subtle reminders that I may never have noticed if I wasn’t forced. To stop. To see. To soak up this Season.
For this year, I am reminded of the true gifts of the season. Of Joy. Of Hope. Of the Belief in Miracles. Big. And small. And in Harrison’s case, very small. And as we sang the words to Silent Night in church, last eve, by candlelight, I felt overcome with emotion. If ever there were a year where I have believed, with unquestioning faith, it is this. This year of our miracle.
And so, while different, and while next year we will excitedly and happily resume our Christmas traditions and jamboree, I will, for the moment, revel in the different. And delight in the gifts brought to me this Season. That were never wrapped. And never bought. But are the very best gifts I’ve ever received.
Merry Christmas to you and yours from the Brehm family. May your gifts of the Season be plentiful. And may your cup, runneth over.
