It is Christmas Eve, and it has been one season for the books.
The Pattersons did it, yet again, in style. With moments that both resembled a Hallmark card and a Griswald movie, it was a wonderful yet wild ride.
Our tree only fell over once. Gifts were threatened to be taken back only a few times. And no one killed each other.
With that, I think it was a successful year.
First, my husband Jason turned into Clark Griswald this year with his obsession for Christmas lights. From decorating The Herald office to our tree to our home to our mantles...every square inch we own was practically covered in a wonderland of vibrant colors.
I was half expecting a ceremonial program to be held at The Herald when he turned on the lights there. We had to drive by the office ten times to see if “anyone was stopping to take a look.” And he even sent photos from his phone to my friends.
Jason also made a spectacle of himself searching for the “perfect lights” around town. He almost took out an entire display in the middle of one store to grab the rotating color package.
And then there was the tree decorating moment, intended to be filled with photogenic moments, smiles and family embraces.
After the ninth ornament fell smashing to the ground and one kid almost cutting his foot open on the glass shards, the whole moment became consumed by a crooked tree bending at the ceiling, cries of anguish from children, fits of rage from the adults and nests of bugs emerging from the boxes brought out of storage.
And the tree fell down two days later. But we managed to catch it while the kids looked on in horror.
A tour around town to see Christmas lights led to all-out warfare in the back seat with three kids fighting. I was left crying in the front seat about how “we just can’t do anything.” And Jason debating on running to the woods or shouting to the heavens.
But all those mishaps come and go. In fact, after the tears are dried and trees picked up, it’s almost funny.
In the midst of the chaos, I am reminded of the birth of Jesus Christ. He loves me and all the follies that come with our wild family.
And that thought makes me smile.
My family is not perfect. We make mistakes, lose our cool sometimes and have breakdowns on a regular basis. But we also laugh at ourselves when it’s appropriate and love each other no matter what.
And pick each other up when we need it...even when a Christmas tree falls on top of one of us.
