I confess that I have been away from writing for too long. When I realized how much time has passed since my last post, I was surprised. Time is funny, blink once and it is suddenly next month.
This is often a fun yet stressful time of the year. We try to cram too much into a short period of time or worse, have that one family member that always manages to create drama. What can we do to make the holidays more enjoyable?
Apply The Kiss Principle
KISS is an anachronym for Keep It Simple Stupid. Of course, I am not calling anyone stupid. (I like to substitute Sweetie or Silly for the last S). A s an aside: a little known fact I learned, KISS was first coined by the US Navy in 1960.
This year, I am applying that principle with one modification: KISS but be ready for someone to alter the plans. My response to a change in plans is to try to roll with it. Of course if the changes are ridiculous or enabling bad behavior, I will say “no”.
In the past, I would plan every detail down to the last minute. Over time, I’ve learned to deal with changes. You never know when a car breaks down, or someone gets sick , etc. forcing changes.
As an example for this year, my daughter decided to invite a friend and her family without asking first. That adds 3 mostly grown kids plus 3 adults to my house for Thanksgiving. We are already expecting 12 adults and children. My guest list suddenly adds up to 18 people! By the way, she told me yesterday.
My Decision
Normally, I would have told her “no!” but I am off work for a couple months recovering from surgery. I have the time to rearrange my plans. Plus, my daughters and friends are going to bring some food items to help with the meal.
My kids are used to me taking in varying amounts of people for the holidays who are not immediate family. Over the years, we have hosted people who have nowhere else to go for the holiday. Sometimes college students or single people would come for dinner and watch the games on TV. It is normal for the girls to bring friends who have called me mom for years now.
I know my Thanksgiving will be loud and boisterous with 10 children, 3 cats and 2 dogs chasing each other through the house. I’ll spend half my time “yelling” at them to get out of my kitchen so I can cook. I will have already been up for hours dancing to music as I make homemade rolls or seasoned bread crumbs for stuffing. My husband and daughters will help when they aren’t trying to keep the kids to a controlled chaos.
I will collapse into bed at night knowing people had a good meal, prepared with many loving hands and more happy memories will fill the minds of my children and grandchildren. A perfect holiday if you ask me, better than my old perfectly planned dinners.
My Wish For You
Although we all face hard issues, I hope this year will be a time to relax and count what blessings you have. The most important thing to do around holiday time is to take care of your needs and do your best to reduce stress, if possible. I wish for you and yours to have a happy Thanksgiving holiday my friends.
Photo credit by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
