Anamarie's Attitudes
Christmas all grown up
Anamarie Miller
Issue date: 12/4/08 Section: Opinion
During Thanksgiving dinner, my brother chose to stir up a bit of an argument. He is 16, has a new girlfriend, and of course wants to spend time with her on Christmas day. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem, but this new girlfriend's family lives in North Carolina, and will be far away for the holidays. When my brother asked my mom if he could go, he got a definitive "no," which developed into a semi-heated discussion.
My argument was that I have been with my fiancé for five Christmases now, and have never once skipped out on my family to be with his. I also didn't hesitate to mention that all the forces in heaven or hell couldn't get me to be with his family over mine under any circumstances for Christmas. Naturally, I thought this was argument enough. After all, he's only been with this girl for like, five months, and he totally adores everything I say and do.
But my mom had a better argument. She said that for the first time in her life, she is counting the Christmases she has left. We (her kids) are quickly growing up. My little sister won't believe in Santa much longer, my brother will be moving away to college in a few short years, and I will be married and waking up on Christmas morning with my husband and future children.
She said she has very few Christmases left with all three of us together, waking up with her on Christmas morning, opening up way too many presents all day long. And I think that for a mother, this is a chilling, bittersweet realization. And it was for me, too.
At first, I was quick to announce that until I had children and had to "be Santa" for them, I was more than willing to come home and spend the night on Christmas Eve. After all, I get lots of presents when I come home for Christmas. Who says I'm ready to give that up?
But then I started thinking about it a little more. Last year, my fiancé and I bought a new tree for his parents and set it up the two of us, and it was awesome. We chose everything and did everything together. In a few years, we will be picking out our own Christmas decorations for our own tree and our own home, and it will be a million times as exciting. And I can't wait for that.
I will wake up on Christmas morning with my husband, and we will exchange gifts between the two of us before spending the rest of the day with family and friends. Eventually, we will have kids and then Christmas will be better than it has ever been, because every grown up knows giving is way more fun than receiving (or, at least just as fun). There is a lot to look forward to, I think, in growing up and having our own Christmas together.
I know most of us college students aren't engaged, thinking about getting engaged, or even contemplating marriage - but all of us are getting to the age where we will be growing out of waking up on Christmas morning with Mommy and Daddy and lots of gifts, and it is kind of a disappointing realization. At the same time, though, it can be a really exciting prospect. It's not like moving out is going to mean no more presents or Christmas magic, it just means there's a different kind of enjoyment in the holidays.
amiller6@capital.edu
My argument was that I have been with my fiancé for five Christmases now, and have never once skipped out on my family to be with his. I also didn't hesitate to mention that all the forces in heaven or hell couldn't get me to be with his family over mine under any circumstances for Christmas. Naturally, I thought this was argument enough. After all, he's only been with this girl for like, five months, and he totally adores everything I say and do.
But my mom had a better argument. She said that for the first time in her life, she is counting the Christmases she has left. We (her kids) are quickly growing up. My little sister won't believe in Santa much longer, my brother will be moving away to college in a few short years, and I will be married and waking up on Christmas morning with my husband and future children.
She said she has very few Christmases left with all three of us together, waking up with her on Christmas morning, opening up way too many presents all day long. And I think that for a mother, this is a chilling, bittersweet realization. And it was for me, too.
At first, I was quick to announce that until I had children and had to "be Santa" for them, I was more than willing to come home and spend the night on Christmas Eve. After all, I get lots of presents when I come home for Christmas. Who says I'm ready to give that up?
But then I started thinking about it a little more. Last year, my fiancé and I bought a new tree for his parents and set it up the two of us, and it was awesome. We chose everything and did everything together. In a few years, we will be picking out our own Christmas decorations for our own tree and our own home, and it will be a million times as exciting. And I can't wait for that.
I will wake up on Christmas morning with my husband, and we will exchange gifts between the two of us before spending the rest of the day with family and friends. Eventually, we will have kids and then Christmas will be better than it has ever been, because every grown up knows giving is way more fun than receiving (or, at least just as fun). There is a lot to look forward to, I think, in growing up and having our own Christmas together.
I know most of us college students aren't engaged, thinking about getting engaged, or even contemplating marriage - but all of us are getting to the age where we will be growing out of waking up on Christmas morning with Mommy and Daddy and lots of gifts, and it is kind of a disappointing realization. At the same time, though, it can be a really exciting prospect. It's not like moving out is going to mean no more presents or Christmas magic, it just means there's a different kind of enjoyment in the holidays.
amiller6@capital.edu
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Losing Weight
posted 12/24/08 @ 12:09 PM EST
Your mother had her chance to find peace and hapiness. If she has not found it, it is not her son's fault. She should let her son do what he wants. It is his chance to find happiness. (Continued…)
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