What I want for Christmas.

I don't do new.  I like old furniture, old husbands and old habits.  I go out of my way to plan my spontaneity very carefully. I like to carve out a comfortable little rut for myself and stay right inside of it.  That's just how I feel most satisfied. This is especially true when it comes to my holiday celebrations.  Tradition is very important to me.  Every year I rely on the same old recipes, lean towards the same decoration placement and listen to the same Christmas music.  It gives me a sense of history and warmth knowing that each year will be a version of the same.  But last year, five days before Christmas, the rock of my life - my grandmother - passed away.  That threw a big old wrench into my holiday wheel. 

So today, for the second time in two months I find myself visiting family in Tennessee.  Very generously, my parents arranged a vacation so that our family could be all together on Christmas.  I am officially WAY outside of my comfort zone.  I'm in a new place, with new smells, new food, and most importantly....new accents. And of course, in anticipation of the visit I approached things with the restraint and sensitivity that have come to be my hallmark (bwahahaha).  My preparation for this trip consisted of making minimally fourteen jokes per day about hillbillies, banjo players and people with dental 'defficiencies'.  When we got on the plane yesterday I started singing (about four keys away from anything resembling a tune and with an intentionally exaggerated twang) the Alabama lyrics 'a tender Tennessee Christmas is the only Christmas for me....'.  Needless to say, that went over like a lead balloon with my mom. 

But now it's time to admit that it was all a ruse.  I am excited about this opportunity.  I am thrilled to see my family.  I am giddy about the potential for snow on Christmas.  I am thankful for the blessing that came from tragedy (if grandma hadn't passed away last year none of this would be possible).  So thank you Lord for knowing the plan; For making it better than anything we could imagine; And for using tough times in our lives to show us that, not only do you love us, but that Christmas means so much more than the comforts of our traditions.

Remember: If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a boring holiday. Merry Christmas to you and yours.