The Countdown...

Sometime's, I'll admit, I just feel like this....

I mean honestly.  At some point, can't we ALL relate to Charlie Brown?!

This photo reminds me of all the pitfalls of the season.  Not that I like to dwell on the negative...in fact, if you know me, you know that I'm a VERY positive person!  

But yesterday I was in denial.  Denial that it's nearly Christmas and I hadn't done a BIT of shopping.  And denial that any of it actually needed to get done.  I'm totally HAPPY in my little place of denial!  It's a place where I get to stay in my jammies all day and pretend I have no responsibilities!

That is, until I flipped on Twitter, the ultimate time waster.... to see what was goin' on there and someone had tweeted....

TEN DAYS?!?!

Oh boy!  Did panic set in!  Where were my elves?  Why aren't they slaving away in my own personal workshop?  

Why didn't I even FEEL like shopping?!  In fact, I was feeling very, well...

Charlie Brown: I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed.
Linus Van Pelt: Charlie Brown, you're the only person I know who can take a wonderful season like Christmas and turn it into a problem. Maybe Lucy's right. Of all the Charlie Browns in the world, you're the Charlie Browniest.

That's right, I was feeling like the Charlie Browniest Charlie Brown in the world.

Ugh!  So I got out the various lists left around my house by my children.  My favorite is the daily updated Google doc from my 18 year old son.  Updated daily.  I'm not kidding.

But in my mind I heard Sally's Christmas letter to Santa....

Sally: Please note the size and color of each item, and send as many as possible. If it seems too complicated, make it easy on yourself: just send money. How about tens and twenties?

 And it DOES seem complicated!  I seriously thought of just gift wrapping lots of little gift cards and let everyone ELSE do their own Christmas shopping!

But that's not really what it's about, is it?

Charlie Brown: Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?
Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about.
[moves toward the center of the stage]
Linus Van Pelt: Lights, please.
[a spotlight shines on Linus]
Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, 'Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'"
[Linus picks up his blanket and walks back towards Charlie Brown]
Linus Van Pelt: That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown. 

Nothing like a little wake up call from Charlie Brown to get you back into the groove!  

Thanks Linus.  You're right, that's what Christmas is all about.

So merrily I go, as the Christmas countdown has officially begun, happy in the knowledge that all of this DOES have a deeper, happier meaning.  So I'll finish up my baking, Christmas card making, gift wrapping (after Amazon, I mean, er, the elves delivers them all that is...) and shopping.  

And I think I'll sit down and watch Charlie Brown too.