Over the years her feelings toward Christmas had changed and morphed for the person she was then, depending at what stage in her life she was then.
Now, with her face so close to the window that she could see tiny traces of her breath on the glass, watching the birds energetically digging up the garden for the seeds she had given them, she felt humbled and happy.
She looked forward to Christmas with all its little traditions and joys. They were not showy people, they were quiet and introverted, going about their lives unnoticed and unknown, but they went about it with joy and laughter.
It had taken her many years to learn that true joy and happiness can be found in every day, in the small things that make up your life. Sure, there will be the big events, but they are rare and they quickly convert into memories, what you have with you are your days, everyday, day in and day out, and it is in them that you need to invest to make them yours.
She drained the last of her coffee and went to the stove. Today was cooking day, at least some of the big things so she does not spend all Christmas day in the kitchen. Although she had come to enjoy the process over the years. The mingling of sweet and savory smells, the heat of the oven, the satisfaction of a deliciously cooked meal.
She knew that sometimes she did not get everything right, but true love is always enjoying what your partner worked for in the kitchen, and she had that, so she was never worried her work was in vain.
Another great thing about the passing of the years was that now all the presents she got she truly loved and enjoyed. She was no longer picky and unpleasant. Now, she found it so great that she had people to gift her things. Of course she would also get something for herself too! As you do!
She remembered seeing online a graph showing how the joy of getting socks for Christmas grows as you get older. She found that funny, because it was so true. Just like afternoon naps, as a child you see them as a punishment, when you get older you see them as a privilege.
Each stage has its own joys and satisfactions and each day matters.
‘Especially Christmas!’, she said to herself and smiled while prepping her kitchen for the day ahead. ‘I hope everybody has a good Christmas day!’
‘I hope I have one!’, she chuckled in the warm, bright kitchen.