The Lighter Side

December 22, 2008 - 3:26 PM

My dad and I went to Hanukah dinner tonight at his friend Carol's house. She has two kids and a few siblings with kids of their own. We all sat around a large table for a several course meal! It was absolutely fabulous. Going to the holiday parties is the best part of the season because experiencing people's smiling faces and good-humored remarks is really refreshing. The rest of the year is mostly composed of complaints and stress, but being with other people during this season has shown me the lighter side of people's personalities.

I went sledding with Carol's daughter Megan and her cousin Amy after dinner, which was funny because they are 27 and 28. As we were traveling up the hill we started wondering if one of us should stay at the bottom and direct traffic (that was nonexistent) just in case. If one of them was hit the headline would say, "Girl Killed in Sledding Accident: She was 28." Very sad. It was fun to get out and "play" again. I think the holidays do that to you. No matter how old or how "cool" you are, you always want to go play in the snow.

It is a great way to feel happy when most of the time I am nothing but stressed. I am actually starting to relax and getting used to the idea that school is going to start again. I think that I am getting some R&R. I have spent a few long days at the gym, using the internet access, and taking my time fixing up after my workouts. I also got my Christmas decorations up, which I wasn't sure was going to happen. This year my dad is working a lot so much of the gift shopping and home prepping has been put off. My mom won't be coming because of the terrible weather, and my grandma doesn't want to leave the "home," even for the holiday.

It is a little sad and a little frustrating, but right now I am trying to soak up the joy from the parties like my friend's surprise, welcome-home party and spending Hanukah with Carol and her family.