I like to wait to decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. Since I was traveling tor turkey day and gone for a work conference, I’m a little late in making my house holly jolly. I love decorating. I think it makes the house feel more warm and inviting. I loved decorating for Christmas when I was a kid. I would use my imagination and create stories with all the ornaments and side displays. I’m not sure if my mom enough puts that stuff out anymore.

The luster and excitement of the holidays has dwindled over the years. My brother is 9 years younger than me and the year that he found out about Santa was the beginning of the end. It just wasn’t fun anymore. And I haven’t had the blessing of children in my life, unfortunately, and I have no partner so the holidays are kinda sad. I suppose that is because I make them sad by comparing to others the things that I don’t have instead of being grateful for all that I do.

This year, I am starting a new tradition where I stay in my own home for Christmas. No more traveling. If my IVF had worked last year, I would be due any day and wouldn’t be fit to travel. So I am embracing the holidays in a new way. I have decided to join the Alamo Cinema monthly subscriber club and go to a movie every week. They are playing old Christmas movies on the big screen. I went to an event in Chicago like that with old movies and it was so fun. I am really trying to stay festive this year and remember the true meaning of Christmas and embrace all that I am thankful for.