I admit it

I’m starting to feel it: excitement for the holidays.

It started with the arrival of this (see photo).  As a child, the 5 of us kids would fight over time with this book.   The arrival of the Sears Wish book meant that, at last, the holidays were upon us.   As a reader, I loved nothing more than to squirrel away with it and a cozy blanket and dreamily review all of the choices.  Johnny West. Easy-bake-Ovens.  Super-slider-snow-skates.  As I got older, my thoughts turned to makeup mirrors, velour robes, sparkly holiday sweaters, and foxy winter jackets.

So it was with great delight that I introduced this scaled down 80-page version of the Sears Wish Book to our grandson last weekend.  The “oohs” and “aahs” coming from the living room were unmistakable, as was the, “DAD! I want thisssssss!” as he pointed to, of course, a child sized snowmobile. 

Then, a few days ago, I was downtown and, as I stepped out of my vehicle into the biting November wind, my eyes landed on evergreen wreaths trimmed with red bows.  As I looked up and down the street and saw the lamp lights had been trimmed as well, I smiled, leaned into the wind and went on my way.  

Yesterday, while out with the hubbs & son, I felt it again.   Ever so slightly, there it was:  the faintest twinge of Holiday excitement was distinctly, clearly,  in the air.

      Not the manic, frantic shopping panic. 

Genuine excitement. 

The sun was shining, the air was crisp and shoppers were bustling through the store.  Everyone was pleasant; the Christmas displays were appealing and the lines were short.

We made our purchase and left the store and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.  This is what I’m striving for this holiday season: the wonder, the delight, and the excitement of the pretty lights and fun family times ahead.