Christmas, short and sweet

This Christmas, my first solo Christmas in this century, I slept in. I got up and had a cup of coffee and opened my remaining present. Nothing says Christmas like the gift of being able to pepper spray a perv. Thanks, Dr. Kyle!

I then spent the early part of the day doing domestic chores and watching old movies. Laundry. New sheets on the bed. Did a short spin workout. Listened to some music. Then Paddy and Lily picked me up for Christmas with their family.

So now I know how it works for them. Pretty much the same way it works in my family–lots of sports on TV, various adult beverages, too many snacks, a tasty dinner and then presents.

I love watching people open presents almost as much as I love watching people I don’t know interacting with each other and I had a good time. It was awfully nice of them all to let me hang out with them!

So, thanks again Paddy. I seem to thank you a lot. That’s because you are nice to me a lot. Thanks to your whole family. They are a nice bunch.

Now I can start obsessing over any resolutions I may or may not wish to make in the New Year. I know you must all be anxious to here!

Merry Christmas, everybody…even the absent friends.

Let’s just go with the default Merry Christmas, shall we?

Through the years
We all will be together,
If the Fates allow
Hang a shining star upon the highest bough.
And have yourself A merry little Christmas now.
–R. Blane-H. Martin/Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

As I get into bed and start writing, it’s just before midnight on Christmas Eve. Christmas starts in a couple of minutes.

I’ve been out with Paddy and some of his friends for drinks, then to dinner at the Ringside with Paddy and a small plastic snowman. Yes, we brought our own decor to dinner. Paddy borrowed him from my house unbeknownst to me.

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I don’t really know quite what to say about this Christmas. It’s been a hard year. There has been a lot of loss. A lot of change. It’s my first Christmas on my own for a long time. Even though it has been difficult, the changes have turned out to be good. In a lot of ways I am happier than I ever have been. Sadder in some ways. Maybe just feeling things more than I have for a long time. Finally.

I’ve gotten to know some people better, including myself. I have learned that I have a kick ass group of people in my life. People who make me laugh. People who go on trips with me. People who make music with me. People who have my back. People who love me. People who I love right back.

So I don’t really have any Christmas wisdom to share.

I don’t have all the answers. I don’t think I have any of the answers. I don’t even know if I will make it to the end of this post without crying.

I’ll just keep it simple:

Merry Christmas, everybody.

I love you.

PS
Paddy and Chelle, you two get a special mention because you have kept my head on more or less straight through some really rough days. You have listened to me, given me advice I have disregarded over and over and never once told me I was behaving like a total idiot. Which I was. You are both kind, smart, funny and generous beyond all reason. Rick, you also get a shoutout for putting up with me all Summer and being the world’s best glass filler.

Paddy, I also owe you for encouraging me to find my voice again. Thank you doesn’t seem like quite enough. I can’t say I am glad about the circumstances that led us to become such good friends, but I am awfully glad we did.

How to be as happy as an 8 year old

It’s great to be 8!
–Lily

Be happy with who and where you are in life

Be a goofball when the spirit moves you

Read a book or ten or a thousand

Make up random stories about Evil Potatoes

Take those stories seriously

Remember that French Fries are Good

Don’t watch too much TV

If you don’t have anything to say, well, don’t

Don’t stay in one place for very long

Roll your eyes when people are silly

Wear a jingle bell necklace

Play it during Christmas carols

Jump up and down for no reason

Jump up and down when something exciting happens

Jump up and down because the Blazers are losing

Draw a lot of pictures

Make a moat out of your potatoes

Look at someone cross-eyed

Don’t be chicken

Be excited about the stuff you’re excited about

Slide on the wood floor in your stocking feet

Laugh really loud

Play the guiro frog after you’ve been sent to bed

Make up words to a song

Ask every question that comes to mind

Dance around the room while you sing it

Dance around the room any time you feel like it

Make sure to point out that the dining room would be a perfect ballroom if there was no pesky dining room table in it

Ask someone to make you a turkey dinner just because

Don’t be afraid to be bossy about decorating the Christmas tree

Take it totally for granted when people sing to you because why would you expect anything less

Go to sleep when you are sleepy, even if it means someone has to carry you to bed

Be totally charming without even thinking about it.

Make sure you wrap people around your finger really, really tightly

Lather, rinse and repeat

Have a Merry Christmas and let everyone know you love them