It is just a few days before Christmas and there are no presents under the tree at the Lyon’s den this year. No ribbons, no tags, no packages, boxes or bags. And there won’t be any.
This is No Present 2013.
It was not intentional, but after the Lyon Financial Meltdown of 2012, there are no more credit cards and no more spending money that doesn’t really exist. For the first time in many years, maybe in my entire life, I am learning to live on what I actually earn, instead of what I hope to earn. It has been tough sledding, as we say in Wisconsin. Real life has been a bit of a buzz
kill. Every time I drove down get ahead road, house repairs, vet bills, a major dental procedure and the IRS jumped out in front of me.
December rolled around, one more unexpected expense came up and in looking at the budget, it was either bills or presents and the bills won. I kept hoping for a Christmas financial miracle, but when the Mega numbers didn’t materialize, I knew it wasn’t going to happen. So no one on my list, even though they have all been more than nice and some just a little naughty will have a gift under their tree from me.
So what is the holiday season like with no frantic mall running and late night wrapping sessions?
I wouldn’t be honest if I said I was happy about it. Yet, there have been many good moments. A friend and I were getting together this week for some pizza and she asked if maybe I was too busy, what
with Christmas being just around the corner. I wasn’t. We had a wonderful evening catching up.
Even without the shopping and wrapping, it still feels like Christmas. The house is decorated with ornaments that have been given to me over the years. The furnace is working, so my pets and I are warm and cozy, with a roof over our heads. I still get to watch “It’s A Wonderful Life”.
On Christmas Eve, my friends and California family will be over. We will have Christmas music on, some food, a few drinks and we will talk about everything that we done and been through together.
Christmas Day will be another day spent with food and family. I will feel welcome and wanted, even though I will come empty handed. I am fortunate to have the people I have in my life.
This is the year when I have thought a lot about a quote from my favorite Christmas special, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”:
“Maybe Christmas, he thought... doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps... means a little bit more!”
May we all find that “little bit more” this holiday season.
This is No Present 2013.
It was not intentional, but after the Lyon Financial Meltdown of 2012, there are no more credit cards and no more spending money that doesn’t really exist. For the first time in many years, maybe in my entire life, I am learning to live on what I actually earn, instead of what I hope to earn. It has been tough sledding, as we say in Wisconsin. Real life has been a bit of a buzz
kill. Every time I drove down get ahead road, house repairs, vet bills, a major dental procedure and the IRS jumped out in front of me.
December rolled around, one more unexpected expense came up and in looking at the budget, it was either bills or presents and the bills won. I kept hoping for a Christmas financial miracle, but when the Mega numbers didn’t materialize, I knew it wasn’t going to happen. So no one on my list, even though they have all been more than nice and some just a little naughty will have a gift under their tree from me.
So what is the holiday season like with no frantic mall running and late night wrapping sessions?
I wouldn’t be honest if I said I was happy about it. Yet, there have been many good moments. A friend and I were getting together this week for some pizza and she asked if maybe I was too busy, what
with Christmas being just around the corner. I wasn’t. We had a wonderful evening catching up.
Even without the shopping and wrapping, it still feels like Christmas. The house is decorated with ornaments that have been given to me over the years. The furnace is working, so my pets and I are warm and cozy, with a roof over our heads. I still get to watch “It’s A Wonderful Life”.
On Christmas Eve, my friends and California family will be over. We will have Christmas music on, some food, a few drinks and we will talk about everything that we done and been through together.
Christmas Day will be another day spent with food and family. I will feel welcome and wanted, even though I will come empty handed. I am fortunate to have the people I have in my life.
This is the year when I have thought a lot about a quote from my favorite Christmas special, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”:
“Maybe Christmas, he thought... doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps... means a little bit more!”
May we all find that “little bit more” this holiday season.
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