‘Tis the season for Giving

I’m sitting here completely overwhelmed with the amount of things I want to do. For my work I need to:

• create a Mural Registry page on website
• edit Decorating Christmas Tree video
• format Poinsettia Paint-It-Yourself (PIY) project
• post wreaths on Etsy
• post my Santa prints on Etsy

and so on, and so on . . . and that’s just work-related stuff. Then there’s decorating the house, Grandson projects (I want to make cookie dough ornaments for him to paint and a gingerbread house), plus I’d like to have family and friends over some time this month. Whew!
But here I am, at my Mom’s. ‘Tis the season for giving, I must remember that.
A little background – Mom lives 35 minutes from me, is 81 years young, still teaches step aerobics 3x a week (REGULAR aerobics – not geriatric).

We’ve always been best friends. I’m the youngest of her 5 kids, but she and I have the closest bond. When I was single, we’d take trips together and  have weekly shopping trips. We talk on the phone every day. She’s more than a mother to me – she’s truly my best friend.
Last spring she was diagnosed with lymphoma – cancer of the lymph nodes. On top of that, a horrible flu. So I moved in with her and would go home periodically.
Luckily, she’s fine now, back teaching her 3 classes a week, dragging me with her, and I split my time between her house and my own. I paint at home; usually work on the computer at her house.
Ah, but it’s the Holiday Season! Her house needs decorating. We’re shopping, baking, driving around at night to look at all the lights. We’re sharing our time together. And it’s wonderful.
‘Tis the season for giving. So I may not get my work list all done this year. Who does? I may not get all my own decorations up. It’s ok. Really, what’s more important – decorating the house fully or making memories with Grandson and Mom? No-brainer, to me.
It’s been years since Mom and I have spent this much time together and it’s really terrific. I’m so grateful to have the flexibility in my schedule (and a wonderful, understanding husband) that allows me to do this.
So, a post today that is not on my ‘To Do’ list, but is a reminder to myself that it ‘Tis the Season for Giving. And what could be more important than that?
Colleen