I had a good game plan for my Christmas "to do" list. Did most of the shopping early on, and a few nights ago, wrapped the out of town presents.

When I finished the last one, didn't have to post them quickly, There's still plenty of time for sending, but I liked the idea of their being done, so I stayed up til after midnight, getting them ready for their mailing journeys.

Standing at the cluttered table where they set, I was wishing I had something with wheels on it to transport them, when I spotted a big storage bin thing,
then turned out the light over the scattered mess I'd made of wrapping. The bin would work fine. But it had been an overly busy day, so I took myself to bed.

After a while with wakeup coffee the next morning, I got the full bin out to the car, and started Christmas music playing before I put me in. All the way to the postal place I am a singing Christmas happy camper. Having time to spare, not dealing with work, and getting there, it's amazing what that does for attitude and everything about this time of year.

I get to where I'm going, and open the back end of the car, then before I can get started pulling my holiday cargo, two people, one of them a postal employee hurry up to where I am, and insist on carrying it all for me, while another customer there holds open the doors. So far, my mission is right on estimated schedule, and I've never been in love with adhering to them.

Inside where I'm in line, a man and a little girl standing ahead of me wait their turn. She's wearing one of those bright red and white Christmas caps that hang down some at the back of her head. She is being pretty good, for a kid who has to waste her time like this, when she could be doing lots of things, like dreaming of what she may get Christmas morning. She begins fidgeting, you know, that wrestless little way only children move around, and if they're really brave, twirling one side of themself, and then the other. So I ask her where she got that pretty red cap, and she pats her head a little, and tells me she got it at a Christmas party yesterday, and a very good cup cake, too.

Our line seems slow, and I see why. A lady ahead of us isn't reinventing the cave men's wheel, but I get the impression if she wanted to, she could. She certainly has enough tools to start with, a very big box to mail, a huge role of tape, and marking pens and scissors. but I guess it's alright. Then I think, yes! this is great. because I really thought I should have taped one of mine better.

I watch and wait for just the right timing, when I can see she's done with hers. Then I half talk, but more point to her tape, and make a circle motion around my big box, and she lets me use some of the tape. As she's leaving, I realize I could have said Gracias to her, so I'm hoping she understood my Thank You. My purpose in getting someone to help me, is because I understand it helps build self esteme, and I was already getting into that when the people helped carry the packages.

As I leave the postal station, I'm so glad the mailing's done. Now I can concentrate on other parts of Christmas. I run more errands, and then come home, and start to do more wrapping, but decide it's allright to take a break from all of it.

After a while my son who tried hard for over two years to be approved for disability, calls and comes by. I ask him a question about making sure my Christmas tree is fire proof, and he assures me it is, and then he says he needs to get a tree, even a small one, for his place. I try to not let my wanting to cry show at that. It would be so selfish, so I don't. but I will never forget the relieved look I saw on his face, as it turned into a smile.

This year Christmas is more than special. We have reasons for raising our cups in toasts several times. About this time last year, lots of things were not as well as they could have been. His chance of being approved was not encouraging. Life day into day was hard. For some years I'd not seen a Christmas tree, or other decorations where he lives.

This is the son who when he was about ten or eleven built a nativity scene outside our house that spread a ways across the front yard. When I'm very old, family will need to just indulge me, retelling it again and again. He built a wood frame, dragged fresh cut tree limbs from a nearby woods, "borrowed" a little lamp from the house, stringing a long cord, so it would light. and used his sister, Bev's (at "Girl Raised In The South) special doll, for baby Jesus

Later today I shopped some more, at my favorite bargain place, this area's thrift store. It was packed with customers, for hours, I know it was for I was there. My total bill was seventeen dollars. This included a cuddly looking toy thing for the newest family member, cost only three bucks. I can't decide if it's suppose to be a little bear or a doggy. it just sets there, and will be great for little ones to touch, it's arms and legs, or paws and legs are wrapped around a soft to touch throw, and it's wearing a Santa cap like the little girl at the post office. And then I got totally selfish, found a Victorian Santa that's like a music box. He's in soft, light colors. Holds a bouquet in one arm, while there's a basket looking something on the other, with what looks like a Christmas Goose. His flowing robes are accented with delicate looking flowers. I don't know if he's porcelain, or what, but he's just beautiful, and he cost six dollars, and it's probably not too difficult to figure out who he is for.

Later on I will post about other things, but tonight I just want to enjoy every moment of this season. Soon I've got to drive in certain areas, to take in great decorations, and I will sing, if I have to, alone. Today I caught myself ringing out the one, "Give thanks" and I do, I so do this Christmas season.