the imperfection of magic

The holidays can be filled with so.much.magic.  If you get lost in the sparkle and the love and the music and the excitement, the anticipation of Christmas can be joyfully overwhelming!

The holidays can also be and often are busy and stressful and frantic.  I love this time of year so much that I work hard to get things done early so I can really soak in the light.  No matter how I try there are always stressful moments and mounting feelings that I'll never get it all done.  With a little person (and a big one,) I sometimes feel caught in a fleeting circle of trying to have the holiday decor DONE.  Many things in life are never done, they just are.  We humans are perfect examples, and this year the magic overtaking Ben has been the perfect reminder to let the little things go.

Ben absolutely glows in the excitement of the season this year.  He is stopped in his tracks by the tree every time he passes it and loves to talk about the ornaments and the lights.  He notices the garland and the decor in his room and grins from ear to ear about all of it.  He's also excited for gifts for the first time ever and has asked more than once to open them early.  Receiving gifts is an important life skill on many levels, as is the gratitude we feel for them.  I'm absolutely thrilled he finally "gets" what gifts are about-on any level. I think that leads to understanding the excitement others feel when we give to them, and the joy of giving is born.

As we sat basking in the post-tree decorating glow, I looked up and saw one of the command hooks for the stocking showing from under the carefully placed pine bough.  I started to hop up and fix it and saw........

and I sat back down, took a deep breath, and soaked in the magic that was happening.  And I've never gone back to fix that bough.  I let.it.go. and am so thankful to a little four year old for the reminder to do that more often. 

So, I wish you all what I am calling the imperfection of magic.  The beauty and sparkle and love of the holidays can overcome so much if you let it.  Take some time to take it in this season and let's all carry some of that "letting it go," into the new year!

Here's a link to our family decorating the tree.  Click here.  And yes, I've had the talk with Ryan that he's had with me many times to turn the phone around. ;)