The holidays for me started a few weeks early when I headed north to the home state for a few days. It was great to see everyone that I could, as the time goes so fast. Perhaps someday I will get used the fact that there won't ever be enough time to see everyone or to spend with those I do get to see. There is only so much one person can do in a few days!
After my return to the land of sun, I was straight out busy with both jobs and trying to finish up last minute stuff for Christmas. The time just flew by and before I knew it, it was already Christmas Eve. My friends that I had Thanksgiving dinner with (I usually refer to them as my dog beach friends but they really do have names...Bill and Sally) invited me over for dinner on Christmas Eve. They have been very kind to me and I appreciated the invitation. It was an evening of good food and good company and since they would be traveling the next day, I also got to bring all the leftovers home. More to be thankful for!
Christmas Day was spent working at my retail job. Many think we shouldn't have bee open, for the most part I am fine with it. While I was in the home state I asked my mom to make stockings for me so that I could fill them for the kids that had to work with me on Christmas. In my mind I would open with my manager and have them hanging before the kiddos arrived. Of course that didn't quite happen, however the stockings were super cute and my co-workers appreciated the gesture all the same. Here's a picture of them hung by the pastry cart with care.
The reason I said that for the most part I'm fine working on Christmas is that unfortunately a lot of the customers were just not nice to us. If everyone (or the majority) would have been merry and bright I would've been totally fine with it. It's Christmas, can't they just be nice for one day. Apparently not. It was not our usual crowd so I'm assuming mostly those traveling for the holiday and seemingly doing so miserably. As much as I wanted to remain positive, it just sucks the life out of you to deal with one unhappy person after another. And it was so busy which is just plain tiring.
By the time I left work, my 6.5 hour shift had turned into 10 hours (partly of my own doing and partly because of it being busy) and I drove home feeling great contempt for society. My aunt had invited me for dinner and I almost canceled, feeling like I wouldn't be very good company. I pulled into a parking spot at my apartment complex and sat in my car for a few minutes trying to pull myself together. As soon as I opened my car door I heard the voice of the nicest, sweetest girl in the whole complex. Cheerfully she said, "Merry Christmas Hope!" Before I could even get out of my car. My heart so needed that little bit of kindness right in that moment. Some faith in humanity restored.
After a nap, I was feeling a bit better so I loaded up Jak and we were off to the dog beach. It continues to be such a grounding place for me. The sun, the sand, the beach treasures. I have made good friends there. And the scenery makes me smile. This was the sunset we were treated to on Christmas Day and there were so many dolphins around. It was a good end to the day.
As I had printed on my Christmas cards this year, it's the little moments that make life big. I hope your Christmas was full of those little moments and that the new year has many more in store for you.
Peace and Love to All of You!
Hope
