Whew! Currently taking a break from packing my mom up for her move tomorrow. My brother flew back to L.A. this morning and my dad has been trying to set up my mom's move, and I've been packing for her since she's been busy with the personal and public viewing tonight. It's been a crazy trip with trying to do an early Christmas, then my grandmother passing away while the family is all visiting, and then my mom's new house having a delayed closing date that fell on the day of the funeral. We're all so tense right now, and it's getting emotional. I was upset and pissed at an argument I'd had with my father and I went outside to smoke and heard the most beautiful thing that changed my night...
I know this might sound stupid or sappy, but it was beautiful. There is a church on practically every corner over here, and apparently at least one of them has their church bells playing Christmas carols. Now, I'm not one of those super gung-ho Christmas people. I actually consider Halloween my favorite holiday. However, I love the Christmas holiday for the shear fact that it reminds us about giving, not presents, but giving of ourselves. I normally love the family getting together and celebrating, however this year we aren't getting together on the holiday, but did so now, so I'll have to make a new Christmas tradition this year. I love the lights and the smells and the smiles on children's faces. And I love the Christmas carols.
Being that I grew up Mormon, and was until I decided at 16 that enough was enough, my family did very Mormon things sometimes. We used to do a ton of baking and make plates of goodies and go Christmas caroling at our neighbor's and friends' homes. It was one of the only stereotypical, clean pure living things my family did in it's crazy, weird existence. For those of you who really know me, this doesn't sound like something I would enjoy, but I LOVED it! It was one of my favorite things about the holidays.
As I got older, I would often play carols on the piano to soothe myself when stressed. It didn't matter what time of year it was, it always made me feel better. I remember once even going to a Christmas party for one of the other departments at work's Christmas party, and someone started playing Christmas carols on this baby grand piano later in the night. Everyone was drinking and I was really, really drunk. I had come home from Whistler that evening with a busted knee and a leg brace. So here I am with friend's I work with, at a party not even for the department I work with, in my stretch pants (it was 1994 so don't cringe that bad), over-sized sweatshirt, on pain meds, drunk, sitting on this piano bench with a coworker's husband playing the songs, with my leg brace sticking out into the only pathway into the living room, slurring out "Chesthnuuttttss roasting on annn ooooo-pen farrrrrr'" (I sometimes get twangy when really drunk). It was horrible and I learned that my love for Christmas carols must stay in my inner trunk when alcohol is involved.
I rarely listen to carols anymore. I have a hard enough time remembering to buy the CD's I truly want, yet alone buy some Christmas carols on CD, which also just seem so un-me. When I do hear them in the stores or on a rare occasion on the radio, I definitely feel happier and more festive. So tonight when I went outside in the pouring rain, and I'm sitting in a chair all snuggled up on the porch listening to the bells continue to play their Christmas songs, everything felt better and at peace. It put my bad day to rest and reminded me of beautiful memories in the past and let me daydream of future memories. It was good and the day was done.
Hmmmm. Okay, now I'm done with my story, but I'm bored. Doo-doo-doo-dee-doo. I only have one more box to pack and then I'm done. What will I do? Been on the internet on and off all day because I needed mini breaks from packing. Did I shower today? Actually, no. No I didn't. Maybe I will take a shower. Yes that's it! Bathing oneself is always good. Hot water is the best thing on a cold day! Okay, that's the plan. Go shower and sing Christmas carols....
(Sing to Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
Bath-TUBS are bathing for innnn hot water.
Don't FORget to take off clothessssss.
Soap in eyes can be quite a BOTHER.
Shampoo ALWAYS gets in noseeee.
Everybody know CONditioner will help hair glow.
Rubber DUCKS make the event bright.
Bubbles in the water don't GO...
So try real hard to hold gas in tightttttt.
You know that RINsing's on it's wayyyyyy.
There's lots of filth and dirt and soap that wants to stayyyyy.
And every bored aDULT is going to tryyyyyyyy,
To see if baby shampoo really won't make you cryyyyyy.
And so I'm offering these simple worrrrrds,
To kids from one to ninety-twoooooo.
Although it's been said many times many wayyyyyys,
Don't stay in TOO long, you'll turn bluuuueeeee.
And I'm off to bathe.
Heather McDuffin
The Egg McMuffin
