It's Over

It’s Over.  I’m Pretty Sure It’s Done!

Christmas is always special at both of our sons’ homes.  They and their sweet wives love to decorate with real trees, entertain throughout the season, and are busy establishing traditions for the future.  The grandchildren all love to bake cookies, make ornaments, and watch certain seasonal movies.  Our Georgia grands were horrified to find that I had not put up a tree this year; our schedule was very busy and I had my annual bout with laryngitis, much to my husband’s delight, I fear.  Once they saw the wrapped gifts, though, I think they got over it pretty quickly. 

On the other hand, if the little ones had been coming from Mississippi, I fear they would have been convinced that Grammy and Mr. Scrooge had changed bodies!  Last year, our granddaughter Evie wept as hard when they took down the tree as she had clapped as they put out their decorations.  

Because of Evie’s sadness when Christmas was over, Nicole was a little concerned about how our grandson Gabe would be when she began to put away the symbols of the season.  He, too, loved coming home after school everyday and seeing what else his mom had put up new to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  He was filled with joy when family came for the weekends prior to the date.  He loved his school parties, and he checked often for new gifts.  They always open one gift on Christmas Eve, their gifts on Christmas morning, and the traditional German pickle gift on Christmas night. 

Jamie and Nicole just knew he would be sad on the day after Christmas and even sadder when the decorations began to come down.  During the week between Christmas and New Year, though, Gabe began to ask when they were going to take down the tree.  He told his parents, I think it’s over.  I’m pretty sure it’s done, now.  Finally, the Monday after New Year, Nicole got the tree down while the kids were at school. 

As Gabe walked through the back door after school, he glanced over at the empty corner where the tree had stood for several weeks, declaring, Wow!  I’m glad that’s gone.  Now, we can get on to the next thing!

Personally, I don’t like change.  I prefer order – specifically, my order.  However, the older I get, the more I realize the inevitability of change and how little I can actually control or order in my life.  I can either resist and resent change, weeping as Evie did, even at the passing of a good thing, or I can recognize the hand of God in my future, as He promises in Isaiah 43:18-19:  Don’t dwell on what used to be; let go of the past.  I am going to do something new in your life.  Can’t you see that I have already begun it?  I am making a way for you in the wilderness and blessed rivers in the desert of your life.

 May God help us to let go of the things which were, but are no longer.  May we live embracing this day He has given, with hope, trusting Him to do a new thing in our life, as He blesses us with fresh vision, fresh purpose, and fresh power for, as Gabe said, the next thing!

© 2011 Gerry Sisk

(02/02/11)