dual personalities

Christmas is in three days! For my family, this Christmas will be different in a number of ways, especially because — for the first time ever — we will be without one of our number. Our middle son will celebrate Christmas far away in Idaho.  The holiday will also be a bit truncated: our eldest will arrive on Christmas Eve and has to work on Boxing Day; son #3 is still finalizing his plans, but should arrive tomorrow, and since we did not win the construction race to finish the kitchen, the workmen will be right back at it at 8am on December 27. C’est la vie.

Channeling my inner Theodore Roosevelt, I’m planning to do what I can, with what I have, where I am. And I’m going to have fun doing it! Today is cleaning day. Dust lies thick and crisp and even on every surface, and nothing is where it is supposed to be. After the DH takes refuge in his office to grade final exams in peace, I’m going to roll up my sleeves, blare Christmas music, and get to work:

I’ll also decorate, wrap presents, and grocery shop. Then I’m going to collapse in a satisfied heap. Yikes! I’d better start soon —  it’s already 11:00 am!

I leave you with a verse from George Withers, an English satirical poet (1588-1667):

“Without the door let sorrow lie,
And if for cold it hap to die,
We’ll bury ‘t in a Christmas pie,
And evermore be merry.”

Be merry, for all is well!

*Freya Stark