Surviving the Christmas Rush

With Christmas just a few days away, moms everywhere are struggling to tie up loose ends and get ready for the big day.

I would love to say that I am the perfect Christmas mother. Organized, prepared and relaxed. That, however, would be one very big lie. 

Like many moms I know, my weekend consisted of a whole lot of shopping and a good helping of sheer panic. As a matter of fact, at times, the sheer panic may actually have outweighed the shopping.

Today, I am feeling a bit calmer. Not because I’ve finished the shopping, wrapped the gifts or even mailed the Christmas cards. Those things are, sadly, still in the works. The UPS man hasn’t shown up with the gifts I ordered, the Christmas cards are not here and wrapping is simply a pipe dream right now.

What I have done, however, is find a little perspective.

It’s been a very long time since anyone has read Dr. Seuss in my home but, stashed away with the Christmas decorations, was one book that holds a special place in my heart.

Boxed up with the ornaments was a special edition of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”  Given to my son in 2002 by a dear family friend, it remains a huge part of our holiday tradition and still makes an appearance each and every year.

Let’s face it. Dr. Seuss was a very wise and talented man. In a day and age when children have more forms of entertainment than we, as parents, ever dreamt possible, his books are still tops on most family’s’ lists.

Over the years Dr. Seuss books have helped countless children learn to love reading. That’s, however, not all that he accomplished. Dr. Seuss used his writing to teach children life lessons and, nowhere, is that more evident than in his story of a Grinch whose “heart was two sizes too small.”

While we are busy trying to survive the Christmas rush and make everything perfect for our families, “The Grinch” is a gentle reminder that Christmas is about a lot more than wrapping paper and presents.

Yes, the Grinch was able to steal decorations, gifts and even the holiday dinner. What he wasn’t able to steal, however, was the holiday spirit. 

“Maybe Christmas,” he thought, “doesn’t come from a store. Maybe Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!” 

As December 25 gets closer and the stress gets deeper sometimes a simple children’s’ book is a reminder of what we are really celebrating.

Does that alleviate all the holiday stress? Absolutely not, but it does put a little perspective into an otherwise hectic holiday season.