Just Lights

As a child, I used to sit and stare at our Christmas tree with all its multicolored lights. I especially liked the tree before any of the decorations and tinsel were put on, thinking that the lights on the branches were enough.

Fast forward thirty some odd years and Christmas time is beyond busy here on our farm. I turn into Mrs. Santa Clause shipping our syrup and gift sets all over the country, supplying people with yummy, tasteful gifts. I decorate the county store at Thanksgiving and it takes days to get it just right. So, thanks to all my work, our house usually gets the short end of the stick so to speak. I’m barely able to find time some night around 11 pm to put up the tree and get the lights on. In past years I do the ornaments in the days following, but this year because of the economy, people are ordering our products to be shipped later than usual, so I’m swamped.

Last night as I was heading for bed and un-plugging the tree I started to chastise myself that I fell short, didn’t do enough because the only thing on the tree is the lights. But then, as I looked I realized that it was pretty just as it is. That maybe this year, we just have the lights. My children don’t really care, they love the lights too and can’t keep away. I turned it around right then and have been chuckling all day remembering my love of ‘just lights’ from Christmas’ past. Maybe we all can let go and enjoy something simple this year… we can’t always do everything, especially as mothers and women. Letting go can be kinda fun once in a while.