Anticipation

I wanted to write another blog about love and loving each other, and can’t we all just get along? Citing Abraham Lincoln, “with malice toward none, and Charity for all.” But, what hasn’t been said already? And, it doesn’t seem to make any difference.

Instead, I’m going to talk about preparation. Today is my oldest daughter’s birthday, and as I have been preparing, I realized it made me happy! I thought of a magnificent example of Spanglish from my 7^th grade Spanish class. (Thanks Mr. Randall!) Unfortunately, the author is unknown to me, but the refrain remains, with the cadence recognizable.

            ‘Twas la noche before Christmas and all through the casa,

            Mama, she was busy preparing the masa,

            To make the tamales for the tamaladas

            And all the ingredients for the enchiladas.

Whether in Spanglish, or the original Clement C. Moore version, the sentiment is the same. Getting ready for the big day is just about as good as the actual event. Anticipation is amazing!

My very favorite season is fall, not because of Halloween and pumpkin spice (although those things are great!) But because of what is coming…Thanksgiving, Christmas, family, peace, love, charity, Jesus, Winter wonderlands (a car ride away). You might think to yourself, “It sounds like your favorite season is Winter.” But no! It’s the build up! The crisp mornings and warm, breezy afternoons! The end of Summer, the countdown to the holidays! The magic of children trying to make it onto the Good List!

It’s all about the preparation! Whether for a birthday, the holidays, a wedding (this may be different for the actual bride and groom), the activity of preparation brings people together in wonderful ways! Making goodies, planning events, sure some stress can be involved, but even that sense of urgency adds to the excitement!

One of these glorious Autumn days that brings me personal joy is Black Friday. I can see you all rolling your eyes right now (all except for my sister Elise, her eyes lit up!) But seriously! I love that! I remember the days fondly when it started at 6am. It was one of the few things that could drag me out of bed in the dark without a cranky word! I concede, I wish they would leave Thanksgiving Day out of it. (It’s called Black FRIDAY people!) But the crowds and the lines and the early morning peppermint hot chocolate are the stuff of my dreams! Haha! There are a few stores I avoid because of the crazies (I’m lookin’ at you Best Buy), but they are usually the same stores I avoid every day (yes, Walmart) (Wow, it’s apparently offend big business day. But obviously I know they don’t care what I think.)

I love packages from Amazon as much as the next person, but there is no comparison that emits the feelings of “children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile.” No, the one on the brown box doesn’t count. It’s the activity of getting things ready for the people I love with other people I love. And whether it’s midnight shopping with my sisters or making tamales with my mom, it’s the same thing. It all comes down to love, and dedicating my time to the people I love. Because it really is “all you need.”