Christmas 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Happy Happy Jesus

It's the last week of Advent and we had another rainy Tuesday. We ended up back at the bookstore to play. I was still undecided about returning "Twas the Night Before Christmas." But this was my last chance, if I was going to do it.I couldn't find the receipt, so decided to bring it along and if they would take it back without one, it must be meant to be. When the owner agreed to exchange it, I felt suddenly pained in my heart- it was such a beautiful book!!: Sugar plums, reindeer, toys. . . sigh. Was I making the right decision? Too late now. The first book I picked, that wasn't nearly as well illustrated, was about the animals preparing for Jesus' birth. The chorus of their song was, "the One who made us has come to live with us." Tears streamed down my face. How can I talk of Santa, when God has chosen to live with us?
Since walking out of the store, my place of Advent transformation, I have felt a change of perspective. Instead of balancing the two stories of Santa and Jesus, I have released myself to just believe in the truth of Jesus. Now, I can think of many ways to bring Jesus into Christmas, especially without the pressure of perpetuating Santa. There is a sense that I may be causing Nori to miss out on some magic of childhood. But it's my hope that the magic of God among us warms her heart along with sugar plums dancing in her head.
So that is where my Advent journey has brought me, at least this year. Like the wisemen, ready to seek Him. This morning, we stopped to buy a cupcake for Jesus' birthday singing. Nori is obsessed with singing "Happy Birthday." (But she usually leaves out the birthday part- just Happy and the person's name.) She will be thrilled singing to him and carrying around her Baby Jesus on Christmas. Bye Bye Santa, you were good to me.

Jesus Plus

Okay, so there are still some big questions I have if I am going to teach Nori and truly practice Christmas in honor of Jesus.
First off, how to relate gift giving, cookies, parties- all the good ol' neutral traditions- to Jesus?
One friend shared with me how she taught the advent season to her kids. She said that Jesus is the self emptying gift from God to us. Advent, ie the Holidays, are a time to be present with each other as God is present to us as the human Jesus.
I love that Nori knows Jesus first as human. I would hate for her to think of Jesus as only a story or in the sky. But Jesus as human is clearly a God among us. A God that cares.
My friend said that buying/making a gift specific and sacrificially for another is sharing in God's desire to be specific and personal to us.
I can go with that. It is a season of presence. God's presence among us and us taking time to be with others (ie Holiday parties.) And of course I can't pass up the cliche- "presence is the presents."
So, gifts and parties are covered.
How about decorating? Last year, I led a small service on the solstice for a few friends. We stood in the dark, to recognize the dark and to accept what that brings, good and bad. We remembered why the church historically chose December 25 as Christmas: the earth begins to turn and the light comes closer. Jesus is the light.
December is cold and the "greening" of the house is to bring the reminder of life indoors.
And that's about as far as I've gotten. Still undecided re: the book I bought Nori, "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
I guess there's still 17 days to decide.

Jesus or Santa? Part 2

It has been over a week since I last posted. I have had some interesting and thought provoking dialogues with friends concerning my Christmas dilemma, which although unresolved, seems to be evolving.
It is funny to see people's reaction to my proposal to take Jesus from Christmas. Some say we are to avoid the craziness of "Santa" (gifts, cards, cookies) and to simply wait in the darkness of Advent for the light of Jesus. I realize that I have a fear that will be boring and we will have to give up the fun of Santa. Most people insist you can do both- a mix of Santa and Jesus. But I still struggle- is this fair to Jesus? Is it fair to Nori?
A few significant events have also occurred. We got out the Christmas decorations. We don't have a lot, but I was surprised to see no Santas! We have 5 nativity sets, lots of ornaments collected through the years, candles and several decorative snowmen. (Maybe the snowman is the ideal Christmas symbol- not too religious nor too Santa?!) The only Santa propaganda was an ornament that I inherited from my Grandparents. Whew. I felt a sigh of relief. At least my Christmas decorating wasn't about to be stolen if I choose Jesus over Santa. The funny thing is that I never really thought about what we put around the house before, besides trying to keep it minimal.
Another surprising thing happened as we started to decorate: I told Nori about Jesus for the first time. Sure, we say grace as a family, but what does that mean to her 2 year old mind, besides the hearty AMENs! she likes to shout. I probably would have started this conversation with her soon, regardless of the season. But what a gift that her coming to age matched the advent season. AND that her introduction involved a baby that she can hold and look at, our human God.
I told her about Him and His parents and there they were- Mary, Joseph, and Jesus suddenly all over our house. There is little she loves more than babies, both real and her dolls- combing their hair, feeding them, burping them and of course nursing them. I Hope no guests catch her nursing baby Jesus, there is probably some general consent against that!
So, here in the second week of advent our home is full of the holy threesome that fits quite naturally into her small world of baby, Mama and Dada. She loves baby Jesus. She decidedly did NOT want to sit on Santa's lap, although he was way too skinny to be the real Santa anyway. So, for now, I guess she has chosen.

For now, santa remains the scary guy we tried to pawn her off on and my grandmother's small delicate ornament safely hidden at the top of the tree.

I guess that's a No to Santa

 

Christmas is Coming. . .

It was a rainy tuesday today. That meant looking for fun indoor activities for Nori and I. There is a small local bookstore that supposedly has a fun kids section. The problem with small and local is that we were the only customers and had the full attention of the sales clerk. When she asked how she could help us, I quickly said that I was looking for toddler Christmas books. Thinking this would buy Nori some good playing time with the cool wooden kitchen they had there. She proceeded to spend 20 minutes pulling all of their toddler Christmas books. As I started to look at them, I realized two things, one: I was going to have to buy something and two: what the heck are we going to teach Nori about Christmas? Santa or Jesus? Or both?
A few years ago, I privately decided to give up trying to make Christmas about Jesus. Not that I don't value my faith, it just seemed that in the midst of the Santa culture, ie Christmas traditions that I enjoy- there wasn't space for truly sacred time. To paste Him on as a side note didn't seem authentic, and maybe even damaging to Christianity. So why not just let it be the tradition that it is: food, gifts, sparkles and festivities. Although it was originally a Christian holiday, let's face it- it isn't anymore and that's okay. Yes, in some way we can say it is all "for Him." But come on- really? To shop, to overeat, to decorate and then say merrily "Jesus is the reason for the season?!" Or to justify all these gluttony by saying it is God's birthday?
I love Christmas traditions, ie the Santa version. I love making crafts, cookies, cutting down a tree. I love the music and the rich food, not to mention egg nog. Before Nori, I wasn't about to give up these festivities, and even more so now. We don't want her to be "that kid" who insists on the playground that Santa isn't real. We don't want here to be the puritan that isn't allowed to participate in this childhood magic.
But seeing things from her perspective, as I do now a days, how is the Santa story any less true than the Jesus story?
What happens when she founds out Santa isn't real? Then, will she trust that Jesus is real? So, what book do I buy her?
The Nativity Story? The Polar Express? The Night Before Christmas? The Twelve Days??!
I have some hope that we read them all. In a schizophrenic blend of Santa and Jesus she will some how be a happy American kid falling asleep Christmas eve with visions of sugar plums (after coming home from church) and that she will awake to gifts that make her squeal and later that day be thankful be part of a community that includes those less fortunate that Jesus would have spent time with.

So,I chose the book with the most beautiful illustrations, the one that made me want to be a a child again- "The Night Before Christmas."
As I was checking out, I asked about their return policy. She asked if I wanted a gift receipt? No, I said sheepishly. I am just not sure if I want my daughter to read it. I have to talk to my husband first.
This is our life now- when "The Night Before Christmas" becomes a whole out philosophical crisis.

Love Like This

Love like this

At 22 mos
There is balance

Fierce, burning love
Reaching hands

Baby
Mama

Hold me
Hold me

I need you
I need you

Walking together
Knowing each other

Eyes sparkling
Joy overflowing

Shrieks of Happiness
Kisses upon kisses

Mama
Baby

Going to Haiti/Leaving Nori

I am on the plane to Haiti, leaving Nori for four days.
The past few weeks have been as sweet as honey. Just being with her has been pure joy. Nori has been moving out of her "mommyitis" into a more peaceful and confident state. It is beautiful to see her brain grow to process the world, ideas of "permanence" (mommy is still there when she leaves the room) and to see her emotions even out as she learns these new things. But behind her emotions, her brain, is her spirit. And the older she grows the more I see her spirit clearly. It has been the most consistent part of her as her body and behavior grow. And boy is she a "spirited spirit!" She is intense, perceptive, sensitive, particular and so so so much fun. I absolutely love her love of life. This sweet season combined with impending anxiety about leaving for the Haiti trip has allowed me to truly cherish time with her.
At least once a day she will do or say something that completely melts my heart and there are literally bubbles of joy that fill my chest. I feel it may burst. Yesterday she wanted to push her stuffed animal in her toy stroller. When we got to the cracked sidewalk she picks the whole thing up and then sets it down, patting the animal on the head.
Is there any love like this? In some ways she is still at the stage of feeling like my baby. In a physical sense, her body is still an extension of mine. When she crawls into my arms, her legs wrapped around, I can still feel that she is flesh of my flesh. The other day, I was remembering her inside of me. Looking back with a fondness that I didn't know then, because I did not know her yet. Almost how you would look back spending time with a spouse before you even dated. The intimacy we know now brings an exciting newness to those memories. To remember her feet kicking me brings a smile. Her smells, her sounds, her skin, even her poop, are all so known to me now, as though she is me. We know each other in many ways more intimately than lovers. And we are reflections of each other in not only genetics, but in adapting our habits to become like one another. Again, the Pete and I have become like each other in some ways over the years. And him like Nori and Nori like him. So much of this happens under the surface that there is no telling sometime what came from who and we are in the purest sense- family.
And yet there is this space between us that is both magical and frightening. Leaving the house this morning reminded me of the illusion of control I have. She is not me. She is not mine. To walk away for four days at times feels "not right" because of our intimate daily rhythms. Yet it is this space that makes me humbly remember she is her own. She is cared for not ultimately by me, but by God and the village that is her friends and family. And it is this space that love loves too, not only closeness. In this space we are each our own unique spark created differently.
I wanted to talk to her about leaving, so last night I told her Mama was going on a trip. "Mama, trip, Mama, trip. . ." she said for the next 30 minutes. I held up four fingers and lowered them as I counted. Four days and then I will be back. "Mama, back, mama, back." Daddy will be with you. And you know who else? "Shirley." That's right and who else? "Saty (the other toddler Shirley watches with her) , babyyyyyy, bella." That's right and who else? "Daddy?" We put a picture of us in her crib. She cried going to sleep more than usual. Mama cried a little too. It felt like an authentic attempt for both of us to be honest in leaving. I had peace.
I have barely left Philly and I am already overwhelmingly grateful for this trip. I have cherished each moment I have with her over the last few weeks and that presentness is something I long for so much in life. Not only with her. Maybe it was this presentness that eased her separation anxiety?
I pray for presentness in the four days in Haiti. I don't want to miss any of what I am to experience there. And in this break from mothering, from the vertical transmission of care, to receive and know myself as other than a mother.
Last night Nori, Bella and I went to the park and ran errands. What is usually a "getting through" few hours before bed, was instead a magical time that I didn't want to end. Maybe it was the perfect fall weather, the brilliant trees, Nori's new attempt to sing in the car, blowing each other kisses and holding hands. Or maybe it was the gift of not wanting time to go forward or backwards, but to simply be. I have felt this before, when I fell in love with my husband. And now again: love.

A Day at the Farm

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Fall Festivities!

 
 
 
 

Outerbanks 2011

 
 
 

Outerbanks 2011

 
 
 
 
 
 

I am a year and a HALF!

I am 18 months old and life couldn't be better! Summer is super cool: swimming, gardening, ice cream, fresh fruit and running around in my diaper. This is the life.
You probably heard- I FINALLY weaned Mommy. She seems a little sad sometimes so I give her extra cuddles and let them read to me now. I really love to see all the pictures in the books and imagine all the fun places and things I have yet to explore.
I am really into animals and their sounds right now. My favorite is ROARING like a lion. When there is an animal I don't know, I just roar and both Mama and Dada laugh so hard. Mom was trying to teach me new body parts and said "cheek" and I started to "bok" like a chicken. They get a kick out of me.
I am also really into spying cats when we are out and about.I usually don't get to pet too many though, they always run away. But BOY do I get to pet lots of dogs at the dog park. There are fluffy ones, smooth ones and ones with big teeth. (There is one with NO tail too, not sure what happened to him.) After I pet all the dogs and say "woof woof" to each of them I like to take a plastic bag and do what all the big people do, bend over, scrunch up the bag and then tuck in under my arm. I do this over and over and everyone laughs. Mama says it's because I am pretending to pick up dog poop. I'm just trying to be a grown-up. I like grown up things a lot and like to mimic, but I also love being a baby still. I guess that's what being a toddler is all about, I get the best of both worlds. When I don't want to behave I can still claim "baby" status!
I have lots of new words and the most useful ones are: help (they come right over), pool (used to denote any body of water), and spoon (for any eating utensil).
Daddy has been home a lot more this summer because his project at work is done. It has been so fun to spend lots of time with him. So far we went to New England, NYC, the Jersey Shore, Harrisburg, and to Nana and Pappy's. We are going to go camping in a few weeks and I can't wait to sleep in the tent and get super dirty.
Speaking of pools, Daddy bought me a HUGE deluxe pool for the backyard with a slide and waterfall. When Mama is around she doesn't get it out and says it's the "bane" of her existence. She gives me an old bucket to sit in. But if Dad is home he totally pimps out our backyard for me. One day my boyfriends came over to swim and I was the cool kid on the block. I like swimming at the public pools too. There is LOTS to watch there. I even put my face in on my own last week.
The other big change this summer is that Shirley now comes to my house!! We both miss Jona and went to visit him once, but I have a new friend- a BABY! It's hard not to take the baby's bobos, but I am learning to mature now that I am the older one. But when the baby isn't around, I can still sneak into her swing, it is soooo fun.
I am eating better now, still not gaining A LOT of weight, but Mom and Dad don't chase me around with food anymore. Sometimes I eat a lot but if I don't feel well I don't like to eat. The doctor says this is okay. I am 25% for my weight and 75% for my height.
My favorite foods are: cheese, pasta and ice cream cones. And juice boxes, especially when I am allowed to hold them myself.
Mama keeps talking about trying to call the Bobo fairy, but I keep hiding her number. I LOVE my bobo (pacifier) and lovey (blanket.)
Mom and Dad refer to them as "my friends" because they think I don't know what they are talking about, but I do. I usually only get to have them when I am sleeping. But if I get really fussy when they are trying to do something adult-like, I usually get my way.
I love playing "mommy" and feeding, dressing and rocking my baby dolls. I also LOVE shoes, jewelry and bags. Daddy says he is in trouble.
Yesterday, Mama, Miss Emily and I went to the mall and Whoah!!!! there was a shoe section that had shoes everywhere. As fast as I could, I sat on the floor, took off my shoes and started trying them on. I liked the purple sparkly ones best. I kept asking for the other shoe to the pair, but Mom said at the store there is only one out at a time. That's weird.
Speaking of stores, I don't like sitting the cart anymore, there is too much to explore. Mama says I am a hurricane. I like to think of it as creative, just like her.
One more thing before I go- I got a new toothbrush and for some reason it tickles me when Mama is brushing my teeth! I laughed so hard last night I fell down!

All Dressed Up!

Nana and Pappy's Summer Adventure