Holidays are hard.
There’s the endless stream
Of shopping, gift-wrapping,
Cooking, cleaning,
And hosting relatives
You barely talk to
Any other time of year.
The kids are cooped up
And going crazy-
Which drives YOU crazy-
Because it’s too cold
To send them outside,
So you have to entertain them
As best as you can
While juggling work
And everything else
Listed above
When all you want to do
Is enjoy the liminal time
Between years
Where nothing truly matters.

But it’s not all bad.
Remember the family traditions-
Like baking grandma’s special cookies,
Or decorating trees with popcorn and lights
While belting out Mariah Carey,
Or watching the Muppet Christmas Carol
While wrapped in blankets and sipping cocoa-
Not to mention the excited smiles
When they open that perfect gift
And share laughter and love
As communities come together
To embrace the magic of the season
Once more.

And that is worth the trouble.

Editor: Shannon Hensley