In the midwest, we’re not supposed to have 55 degrees with drizzle on December 26th, yet here we are.
Climate Change is Real
No one can deny that this year has been markedly warmer than usual. However, while growing up, people close to me used to say climate change was “political.” Um, what?
What does that mean?
It’s “political” that the weather has become warmer?
Or maybe political in that only certain parties believe climate change is really happening?
I still don’t know what that means, but I’m curious. I mean, science. Right?
Just the Worst
As a family, we had the worst Christmas ever, hands down. I didn’t see or talk to my parents on Christmas for the first time. In my life. Even when we lived a state away for a short time, we had an early Christmas morning, then hopped on the road for the 4-hour drive home. A year later, we moved into my parent’s house while they upgraded and moved a few blocks away.
It was a sad time for me this year. For the first time since I can remember, my dad didn’t read Twas the Night Before Christmas to my kids via speakerphone. We still did our “December 1st ’till Christmas” that my grandma started for us when I was young, but I cried a lot on Christmas Eve and the following day. We still decorated cookies, but the kids were irritated with their dad, and it just didn’t feel right.
Christmas morning, my mom stopped for 30 seconds to drop off stocking stuffers. Literally knocked on the door, handed me the bags and left. I immediately burst into tears: no hug, no Merry Christmas, no sparkle – nothing. All because of a greedy, selfish, spolied, narcissistic stepdaughter we haven’t spoken to since she moved out. Sure enough she was at my parent’s house celebrating Christmas. We should’ve been there and I know I’ll never forgive myself if, God forbid, this was their last Christmas.
It’s not like it was all my choice. My parents decided that little girl being at Christmas was more important than having our family there. Sad. Truth be told that’s how we all felt. Well, except Jax. That boy has more insight than my other kids, but it was still weird having him explain to me why we should be there. My husband also ruined the day, so the kids were rightfully upset; we even took a family picture without him. He didn’t help me wrap or put the few gifts we had under the tree. He slept through presents and didn’t even open the stocking stuffers I got him.
Woke up to a sewage backup and all of our dirty clothes are on the floor, too, so that’s a big headache for me until we have a plumber here. Keo turns 21 next week and I have $0 until a week later. I can’t even take him for his first drink at a bar. He’s back home, by the way, and oh, work still needs to be done with this one. He still lives like a pig, does no chores, doesn’t have a job, and his bills are all behind. Chip off the ol block, eh? Nah. Even I pick up after myself. My parents would’ve never let me get away without a chore or four when I moved back home for a brief time as an adult.
Whoa, a bit off track there huh?
Anywho, I used to believe Christmas was this magical, serene time of year when we gave to the needy and thanked God for our blessings. I used to go to church every Christmas day. Now, I don’t even know if God really cares about this family so I don’t bother going. How sad. I don’t know where I went wrong, and sometimes I catch myself praying, asking God, “Why us?”
Still no response, but I’ll keep you posted. I do hope you and yours had a very Merry.
Dammit, I didn’t even watch Christmas Vacation this year!
Oh well, here’s to next Christmas and what used to be my favorite time of year.
Cheers.
-j.
“Well, I don’t know, Margo!”
–Todd, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Forward, anyway 