CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON -- The moral of the story

“The ornament of a house is the friends who frequent it.”

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Why is it that Christmas is like cooking a complicated gourmet meal?”

I heard a woman say to her friend.

Several of us were waiting for our numbers to be called at the deli in

the market, and the two friends were standing next to me.

“It seems like you work forever,” she continued, “but then it’s over

before you know it, and then you work forever to clean up afterward. It

doesn’t make sense.

“I’m too tired to hurry up, clean up or cook up anything else for

anybody. I told my family I’m officially off duty in the kitchen for the

next few days. I’ve declared it ‘takeouttime.”’

Everybody within earshot started chuckling. I think we all had similar

sentiments about the holiday season.

I had another good laugh just before leaving the market. While I was

unloading my groceries, my cashier was apparently finishing a

conversation with the woman ahead of me.

“This year, I’ve made a New Year’s resolution that I’m pretty sure I

can keep,” the cashier said to the woman as she handed her the receipt.

“Really? Tell me what it is. I’ve already blown some of mine,” the

woman replied.

“Oh, it’s simple really. I’ve resolved that I will put all my

Christmas decorations away,” the cashier answered.

“That makes sense. By when?” the woman asked.

“Oh, that’s the best part,” the cashier said with a smile. “I’m aiming

so low that even if I trip on this resolution, I’m pretty sure to

succeed. I’ve resolved to have them all put away by Easter.”

Even the young man bagging the groceries started laughing.

I laughed again as I opened my front door and was greeted with yet

more decorations waiting to be put away. I’ve been working for days to

box everything, but I keep finding more.

The hardest part for me is always putting away all the colorful

holiday cards that decorate my walls and halls. We received so many photo

cards, and I love being greeted by all the happy smiles. Everybody who

visits stops to look at them, and I do the same at other peoples’ houses.

I loved visiting and being visited by family and friends over the

holidays. I enjoyed all the fun and good food, but I especially loved the

different times we shared about what God was teaching us or doing in our

lives.

We all had a mix of joys and highlights, as well as some sadness or

regrets. We shared a lot of laughs, as well as some tears.

But in each conversation, it was clear we were all thankful for God’s

love and faithfulness. I also sensed that we’re eager to see what God has

planned for us in the new year.

I’m pretty confident I can have my decorations put away long before

Easter comes around.

But as far as my family and friends are concerned, those are ornaments

I don’t have to pack away. I’m looking forward to enjoying them all year

long.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

[email protected] or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140, No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.