READY OR NOT

I tucked the last wrapped present under the tree and stood back to admire it all.

That’s when my husband Steven came into the room. He walked up next to me and put his arm around my waist. “You’ve really done a spectacular job again this year.” He said as he looked at the tree with me.

“Thanks. But it’s always around this time that I can’t help but think I’ve forgotten something.” I sighed.

“Hey, you can only do so much.” He reached over and adjusted one of the ornaments.

“I know. It’s finally time to say ready or not Christmas is here.”

“You’ve been making lists for weeks.” He reminded me.

“And yet there’s always something to add!” I sighed again.

“I think you’ve finally gotten to the point where it’s time to stop worrying and just sit back and enjoy all the work you’ve done.”

“You’re right.” I went over to the couch, sat down and put my feet up on the coffee table. Steven came over and sat next to me. “It is nice to just sit here and look at the tree knowing there’s nothing more I need to do.”

Our son Alex came into the room. “Well, I just finished wrapping the presents I got everyone.”

I pointed to our tree. “Are you going to be putting them under the tree?”

Alex shrugged his shoulders. “I’ll just keep them in my room until Christmas morning.”

I leaned my head back against the cushions. “You know I saw a post on Facebook that said you shouldn’t tell your kids that Santa gives them the expensive presents.” I looked over at Alex. “Because kids whose parents can’t afford to give expensive gifts think they’ve done something wrong when Santa only gives them something small or even nothing at all.”

Alex looked at me shaking his head. “Don’t worry I’m pretty sure Santa isn’t giving me anything this year.”

I had to laugh. “I’m not talking about you! It’s just that I never thought about that before.”

Steven started to shake his head. “Let me guess?” He patted my knee. “Now you’ll be feeling guilty about the presents Santa gave our boys?”

I tipped my head to the side. “Yeah. A little bit.”

“Don’t worry.” Alex came over and patted my head. “I don’t think any less of you for telling me Santa gave me my Game Boy twenty years ago.”

I had to laugh again. “Thanks.” I looked back over at the tree. “But I do look at what we have and I have to say I’m grateful.”

“Isn’t this the conversation we’re supposed to have on New Year’s Eve?” Alex asked.

“Any day is a good day to be grateful.” I reminded him.

“God bless us, every one.” Steven said.

I looked over at him while shaking my head.

“What?” Steven shrugged his shoulders. “I just thought it was a good time to quote from ‘A Christmas Carol’!”

I swatted him on the arm as I got up from the couch. “I’m going to go start dinner.”