‘Twas the night before Christmas

My first tropical Christmas is rapidly approaching.  I’m making my last-minute shopping list, tidying about the house, and readying myself for a quiet evening of classic Christmas movies and holiday fare.  It’s really feeling like a holiday this year with less scrambling, angry lines at airports, hurried trips to the mall, bouncing from government agency to government agency putting all things Canadian in order before I return.  Of course, it’s tough not being with family but at the same time better as I’m officially declaring this place home.  I am actually resting - really sleeping and truly relaxing.  My house is silent.  I choose how and when I’ll allow chaos to enter my space, and thus control the stress and anxiety that can come with a commercialized and commoditized season.  I’m seriously contemplating heading to Mass tonight.  I’m not Catholic, and only Christian by default.  However, this seems like the right fit to treat the occasion as somewhat solemn and reflect on the meaning.  Tonight I will curl up in my pajamas with cookies and egg nog, and make an exhaustive list of everything I am thankful for in my life.  Merry Christmas, everyone.