Happy Holidays! I hope everyone has an opportunity to relax and enjoy some time with family and friends. Turn off the news, listen to some music, read a book, play a game, and just relax. A glass of wine, some aged cheese, and baguette might be nice too!
Mind Over Matter. This was the saying on the t-shirt I purchased to have in the hospital after my surgery. Mind over matter. This is so important. I have accomplished two things in the last week. One, I finished watching the second season of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. (Yes, I was one of those people anxiously waiting for it to be released.) Two, I finished making Christmas stockings for my grandchildren. The felt kind, from a kit, with thousands of pieces and even more sequence and beads. As episode 10 ended, it was quiet and I had time to reflect on the characters. Then it hit me. Mrs. Maisel and Dr. Q have something in common! Both are extreme optimists. They are driven, open to new experiences, have goals, and know where they want to be. They put mind over matter. So important!
I set an interesting goal last spring. It would seem simple enough to accomplish for most people, not so much for me. I decided to make a Christmas stocking for my new grandson. This actually has been a tradition in my family. Sometimes traditions just happen. Ours began in the early 1950s when my mother made a felt stocking. It was simple, from a kit. I used this stocking for over 20 years, until my daughter was born. Then it was hers. A few years later our second daughter was born, and she needed a stocking. Fairness dictated me creating her very own felt stocking. For years they hung by the fireplace, with my plain white and my husband’s plain red stocking. Then the sons-in-law and grandchildren arrived. Five more stockings were created. As I finished the baby’s stocking, the one that lights up, the one that was made with the use of only one eye, I muttered to myself, ’No more babies!’.
Another tradition, the holiday dinner. My mind wanders back to my recent traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The one with a twist, when I spent the holiday with my daughter and her family.
My grandson has such bad eczema. At one year old he had some allergy tests, with no conclusive results. Parents were given some steroid cream and told to pay attention to what he ate. He reacts to dairy, tomatoes, wheat, soy, and dust mites among other things. And by reacting, his skin becomes red, dry and incredibly itchy. His face is constantly scratched, arms and legs often bleeding.
He’s almost 3 now. And he still struggles with eczema. He’s the only one at his preschool who has to bring his own lunch and snacks. When a parent brings in an impromptu birthday treat, he’s the one who cannot eat it. At the grocery store, where most kids are so excited to get that free cookie, he is delighted to be given a container of green beans. He eats organic, home-cooked meals. No fast food here. He spends most of his time wrapped up in a full body mummy-like scratch suit with built in mitts, while maintaining more energy and exuberance than a typical three-year-old. His parents are knowledgeable. They have researched. They have joined eczema support groups. They have tried traditional Chinese medicine (with some good results!). They are models of patience, understanding, and problem solving.
Back to Thanksgiving dinner. Besides my grandson’s eating preferences, mom is a vegetarian and dad follows the Keto plan. Can you imagine our delicious meal? The turkey was traditional, my daughter had Tofurky. No stuffing. Mashed potatoes were made with almond milk and ‘fake’ butter. The green bean casserole was just beautiful steamed green beans, and the organic salad was yummy! The traditional cranberry sauce contained sugar, and was delicious! I am looking forward to seeing what today’s dinner brings!
I hope your holiday treats are delicious. Happy Holidays to all, and may you have much peace and abundant joy!