Christmas is-Different

byidb1977

196 followers

6 years ago

I don't know exactly how to explain it, but Christmas seems to be different to me as compared to when I look back, and the further back that I look, the more different it seems. It's kind of like how I chose the picture above; this is what I recall that Christmas lights used to look like. Now, it seems like they're all LED clear lights; not that they aren't pretty, they just don't seem to give off the warm glow that I remember with the older lights...or maybe it's all in my imagination. The same Christmas specials come on television, but a lot of them seem a little different, as if some of the voices of the characters have actually changed. LOL. Maybe I'm just crazy, but I don't really think so.

It's also different because I was a little kid in say, the 1980s, which is when I seem to have most of my memories of Christmas. Whether we stayed home or we went to visit family, it seems like there were always a lot of people that were present. Some of those people, like my grandmother, they aren't here anymore, while others are simply busy or working or just can't seem to find the time.

Another difference is that fact that it's a busy and stressful time for me this year. I just sold my house in Oklahoma, so I have to drive about 10 hours and pack and move an entire house full of stuff before closing. I'm not sure if I have enough time, but I have to try; I imagine I'll figure something out because I always seem to. There are so many things going on that it's difficult for me to enjoy it sometimes.

This year, I just don't have the funds that I used to have, either. I'm not broke, but I'm not making the kind of money that I used to (when I spent my entire life working). I'm not complaining about it, but Christmas can be expensive, and it just adds to the stress sometimes. I refuse to go back and work 80-100 hours/week; that isn't good for my physical or mental health, and I doubt that it's any good for anyone else's, either.

Well, okay...so it's definitely different, but that doesn't mean it's bad. As people, we have to put up with some changes in life in order to survive. Our lives are not going to be static forever. I do have family I'm going to see tomorrow, and the cats, Ruby and Pearl, will be here, too. I'm able to have more free time this year to try to enjoy myself without worrying about work in the back of my mind.

I'm not dwelling on anything negative, but I can't help to think that this holiday is just different that it was 35 years ago. I think that I'm a nostalgic person, and that's just the way I'm always going to think.

Although I mentioned several things about Christmas that have changed, a lot of things are still very much the same. I still get to see most of the same people that I used to see because everyone seems to have more time off around this time of year. My mom still makes the same kind of candy and other things around this time of year that she always has (and that my Grandmother had). I have found other things to do and have learned quite a bit in the past couple of months here; I'm rather excited to learn even more in the next year and see if I can't make a few new friends in the process.

Have a great day!

Cheers,

Ian

"...I've been thinking 'bout catching a train;
leave my phone machine by the Radarange.
'Hello it's me; I'm not at home--
if you'd like to reach me; leave me alone...'"

--Sheryl Crow

"A Change Would Do You Good"