Halloween is over...has Christmas begun?

I worked in the retail world for 10 years. I saw the descent of the Christmas season starting as early as August. As long as I can remember, I have always been an advocate of "no Christmas before Thanksgiving"! Thanksgiving deserves its recognition, too, right? And working retail (in a craft store, no less), drove that determination more and more every year.

Unfortunately, turkey day has become little more than the opening of the door to Christmas. Shopping on Black Friday beginning around, oh, 6am, used to be the norm. Now you have to inhale your poultry, potatoes and pie on Thankful Thursday and rush right out to get the best bargains! Christmas carols can be heard starting as early as November 1. And I have acquaintances and neighbors who already have their trees and/or house lights up.

Don't get me wrong. I love the Christmas season. I love everything about it: the lights, the decorations, the carols, the parties, the fun family outings, the giving of gifts. Most of all I love the reason we celebrate this magical holiday...the day that recognizes God's greatest gift to all mankind. And I really get into my Christmas decorating...I believe the term my husband and son like to use is "overkill". Whatever. At least I don't "overkill" until the weekend after Thanksgiving!

Unfortunately this year, it looks as though I'm going to have to break my rule. I know, I know. I think I might have heard thunder rolling as I typed that sentence. I have a reason...don't mock me for its lameness. My boy will be home from college the entire week of Thanksgiving. And he's a tremendous help. And I have a holiday party the first weekend of December. And I'll never get it done if I wait until November 30. I feel as though I'm committing a horrible sin. Me, the one who has preached for so many years "no Christmas until after Thanksgiving!" is giving in. *sigh*

I'm pretty sure I'll be forgiven. I'm also pretty sure I'm going to get a generous amount of sarcasm and teasing from my family and friends. So be it, my house will look amazing with all its "overkill" in plenty of time for my party.

My Kindred Spirit

This post is about my oldest son, Zach. He's 20, a good college student, well-mannered, gentlemanly, and a superbly talented drummer. So, you may ask, how is this young man my "kindred spirit?"

The first time I noticed, we were watching a stand up comedy special together, I don't even remember what artist it was. Wait, what?? He's laughing at the same jokes I am? Hmmm.... Then I realized he gets my humor, too! He can take my bitchy sarcasm and dish it right back out! Whoa!

The big a-ha moment was three years ago. My sweet hubs surprised me for my birthday with tickets to a screening of the Phantom of the Opera live at Royal Albert Hall. Yes, I am a Phan. The hubs is most definitely not. But I decided I wanted him and my boy to come along. It's for my birthday, right?

As soon as the first scene ended and the Overture began, I heard my "kindred spirit" next to me gasp. He gasped. He loved it. He loved every single musical moment, the lighting, the acting, and, I think, even the storyline. He nudged his father at one point (and probably woke him up, honestly) and asked how he could possibly not like it.

And inwardly, I cheered.