I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!

[nolabear]

26. Let's be besties! It's such a great opportunity for love and laughter!

And I didn't by any stretch of the imagination have an easy time of it or outstanding Christmases growing up. But I loved it even then. There's nothing cynical or reasonable or mean about it. I'm not a believer, but I love the hopefulness of birth and renewal and generosity. Like you, if I don't want to be intruded upon I just don't let myself be bugged.

For years, every year I've collected a new ornament and a new song. My Christmas song collection is a crazy quilt of silly, beautiful, exotic, religious, secular, all kinds of things. When I was little we made decorations out of trash, and cut snowflakes out of paper (we were in the deep South so snow was unheard of). I loved the food and the stories and the little kids getting excited. Like you I love thinking about friends and family and trying for gifts that let them know I make an effort.

It's so human.