Wishfully thinking, I can see Kyle and me waking up early after a long night of decorating the family room and bringing in Boston to see all the beautifully wrapped presents and blinking lights. We’d then spend the next two hours slowly opening presents in front of the fire, drinking hot cocoa and enjoying the Macy’s Christmas Day parade on TV.
Flash to reality — the Christmas lights don’t blink. They won’t even stay lit, because the cat managed to gnaw completely through the wiring. The dog has pulled her stocking off the mantle and is busy figuring out how to eat through the plastic liner to get to her new treats, and Boston is too preoccupied with wrapping paper and empty boxes to even realize he has gifts.
While my Martha Stewart Christmas looks pleasant in my daydreams, in reality it dulls at the edges and, after closer examination, seems uneventful and quite boring. I have found in these past six months with Boston that perfection counts for nothing. Instead, the moments we share are the memories that will last for years to come.
While Boston will not remember this Christmas, I can’t wait to show him the pictures years from now and explain that while the room looks cluttered and the tree won’t stay lit, the smiles on our faces say everything the pictures are missing.
Here’s wishing your Christmas is as beautifully chaotic as mine!
• I am sad to announce that December’s column will be Rockin’ Motherhood’s last. Thank you for welcoming me into your homes and for your continuous support. I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Best wishes and keep strong, mommies! — Cicily Palmisano
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