On Being Thankful and Zombies
Sometimes, along with the stress and worries of the holidays,
a great big boat load of amnesia takes over our brains. Not only do we forget
we’re human, we manage to forget that the rest of the world is, too.
We scurry along in a rush of shopping, cleaning, cooking,
and then turn into Holiday Zombies. Our faces are pale and black circles appear
under our eyes. Fingers turn red and green from the food color in holiday
cookies.
Eventually our hurried stride
turns into a slow death walk while we moan “Sugaaaaaaaaaaaar.” (Okay, some of
you groan “Caffeiiiiiiiiiiiiine,” but you do that every morning anyway,)
Pretty much, Zombies terrify the rest of creation —especially
children. All of the pumpkin pie and stuffed turkeys in the world won’t make up
for the fact that there is a monster in the house. (Seriously guys, it won’t.)
You don’t need fourteen side dishes—no one is that hungry. Your
bedroom doesn't have to be redecorated just in case a guest needs to have a
nap. You needn't zombiefy your poor self or drive the bank account into the red
to pay for dinner
.
What people really want for the holidays is to enjoy time
with friends and family. If they’re at your house, they already love you and
will forgive a few dust bunnies. Before you start the tightrope walk on that
silver wire of stress, take a minute to be thankful for what you already have.
Count your blessings and cut your list.
You’ll thank me for it later.
