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This week has been Meltdown City in my house on all fronts. Between late nights of holiday fun and rushed mornings finding that darn elf and opening up Advent calendars, my kids are spent. In a louder-than-necessary voice, I finally reminded everyone, “This is the season of Joy!!!” I also added that maybe they should find some 🫣. After a few very deep breaths (research has proven that if we regulate our emotions, our children are better at regulating theirs), eyes squeezed shut, and forehead rubbing, I remembered Ms. Meade’s message from last week about enjoying the moment. Then, last night, Lyla picked Julie Andrew’s Treasury for All Seasons as her bedtime book. We flipped to the winter section, and I read this poem:

Christmas
byJulie Andrews

This year
Let’s remember what it’s for.
Be aware a little more.
Let us give in thought and deed and word.
And share.
And show that we care.
This year.

This year
Let’s remember what it’s all about.
Let’s not shout
And babble about happiness and so on.
Unless we mean it.
Let’s not give in excess
And somehow give less
Of ourselves.
This year.

This year
Let us quietly wish each other well.
And meaningfully tell
Our hopes and fears.
Let us make the feelings right.
And build upon them day and night
So that next year in retrospect
It will have seemed like a beginning.
This year.

Ok, universe, I hear you loud and clear. We will slow down, do less, and enjoy the moment. I hope during the remainder of this month, as you celebrate with your families, you can do the same.