Lauryn's Thoughts on the Holidays ...

Good evening fellow readers.

Happy holidays (Happy Holidays) Happy Holidays (Happy Holidays)! While the merry bells keep ringing, happy holidays to you! Deck the halls with bows of holly fa la la la la la la la la! Ah yes! It is Christmas time here in Metro-Detroit. Everywhere you go, more and more people are decorating their houses with lights all a glow, the music is playing in our stores, Santa is adorning our malls with his festive little helpers and there is a certain magic in the air. Yes, it is literally beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere I go. And I could not be happier!
 
As much of an old soul I am, I am also secretly not so secretly 5 at heat and this has to be my absolute favorite time of year. Yes, I am one of those people who turn on the Christmas music on Nov. 1 and I start my shopping in September so I don't get behind.  My tree goes up right after Thanksgiving and I am the person telling Mom what is missing in the house decorating process. Heck, my Mom calls me “fa la la la Lauryn.” I love Christmas. People have told me over the years how I will begin to like it less and less as I get older and have children of my own or have other things to do and get caught up in the rush and the stress of it all. And I just do not know or understand what they are talking about. I am 28 years old and I am still in love with Christmas. Last year, my boyfriend bought me an ugly Christmas sweater and I wore it with pride along with my snow man earrings and Santa socks.
 
Now, I do know that there are others in this world, like my boyfriend, who really do not like the holidays. Or it just is not a huge deal to them. They go about their lives like it is just an ordinary day. And that is fine. Maybe you are like them. Maybe all of the lights and the music sends your sensory issues through the roof, or the thought of all those people at the many holiday gatherings makes you extremely uncomfortable, for crowds make you nervous. Maybe the feel of the wrapping paper bothers you or you are gluten free and cannot have all of the delicious treats that come with this time of year and that depresses you. Or maybe, you are of the Jewish or Islamic faiths and don't even celebrate Christmas and the fact that your holidays get sort of pushed to the side makes you kind of sad (although, Target does pretty good with having decorations for both Hanukkah and  Christmas and I really want the sign that says “Oy to the world”).

However you feel, whether it be “YIPPIE I LOVE CHRISTMAS YAHOO” or “Oh no not Christmas again, all my sensory issues are gonna go insane” or “Eh, its just another day” or “I am not Christian and do not celebrate Christmas,”  use this time of year as an excuse to at least be kind to one another. Right now, our country is facing a major crisis with the result of our new President elect. People are terrified for their rights and fearful that the life they once knew is gone. People need kindness now more than ever. We need to remember the reason for the two main holidays in Michigan, Christmas and Hanukkah, which is love and kindness. It is a time for miracles. Both the birth of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and the miracle of the oil burning for 8 nights in the Temple instead of only one. Both stories remind us that anything is possible and that miracles do in fact happen. Even the small extending of a “Merry Christmas” “Happy Hanukkah” or “Happy Holidays” can be enough to brighten a person’s day. Why today, two perfect strangers  said “Merry Christmas” to me at Aldi while shopping for dinner and it left a smile on my face.

This is a time for family and tradition so go ahead and hang your stocking and decorate your tree. Light the menorah and spin the dreidel. Or, if you must, hide in your room under the covers praying it will end. Whichever you choose, I hope that it is wonderful. As for me, I will sport my ugly sweater, sing carols at the top of my lungs, wrap my presents, watch cheesy and predictable holiday movies, and stuff my face with as many candy canes and Starbucks peppermint mochas as I can. Heck, tis the season!
 
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
Feliz Navidad
Vroljik Kerstfeest
Joyeux Noel
Frohe Weihnachten
Buon Natale