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Christmas is a time for rushing around and all that stuff we (try and) smile our way through.  That mix of emotions … “If this is the time of love why do I feel so stressed trying to make everything perfect?”

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Our eldest daughter and I have a tenuous tradition.  We go food-shopping in the  supermarket on Christmas Eve afternoon.  We might both have a few bits left to get – but we go mainly for the stressed-out crowds of last-minute-shoppers.  All that (we should be) “Ho Ho Ho” … that (is it really about) “Goodwill to all men and women” … all the (really irritating) soppy films – the (if I hear one more) Christmas tunes – the (sod that – I haven’t got time for) happy smiling faces.

We go to smile – to chat with those struggling – to share a kind word with the hard-working shelf-stackers – to “be” what Christmas is without the stress.  I have no idea how that tradition started or why we keep it going.

We just do.

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And then there is “momming”.

Which is not just for Christmas – but for every day (and night) of the year – and a post by Heather Brian:

“Despite the craziness and chaos, I truly am grateful.  I wouldn’t trade this role in life for anything.  But we all see life from different perspectives, and when you’re in it, when your steeped in your day to day, before you know it, you’re overwhelmed, and you just wonder if anyone else can relate.  You just want to align your heart with someone else’s in those moments.

To the mom crying in carpool…I see you.”
Momming, Rerouting Life

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I See You.

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Once again I find myself sitting here “steeped” in wonder.  How Love is such a central theme to so much of our daily living.  Whether it be “Momming” or “Christmas” – whether it be the loss of someone so Loved or the absence of “Momming” so desired …

But what “Momming” triggered this morning is how we so easily feel guilt.  When we are “steeped in (y)our day to day” – when we don’t appreciate every moment as we should – when we have something so precious – when there are others dying inside for not having what we have …

Love is not of guilt.  Christmas is not of making everything perfect.  Love is not of perfect.

Love is.

“It’s knowing that despite the times they act like they hate you, you really are their biggest hero.”

Thank you Heather!

Happy Imperfect Christmas!

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