theHword.com

Today, as I sit here starting my article, I am snowed in. I don’t mean just a few inches of snow blocking a door. We are dealing with an all out blizzard which happens to be…on Christmas Day! And, because we live in the country, we are seeing nothing but white outside the windows. In fact, most of the time we can’t see across the driveway to our out buildings.

I am a born and bred Nebraskan who loves snow, BUT I could have done without this storm, especially today. You see, I grew up with a large extended family (thanks to having a mom with 7 siblings) so holidays have always been about people, noise, food, wrestling kids, and did I mention NOISE! I love holidays with my family. My husband, well it took him quite a few years to enjoy the chaos my family creates. He’s used to the calm and quiet family get togethers. I am familiar with thanks to my dad’s side (an only child–how do those dynamics work when an only child marries someone with a large family? Apparently it worked out fine in my parents’ case!)

I told my husband earlier in the week that I would be okay if we ended up being snowed in at home because we had each other and our two little ones. But would I REALLY be okay? This would mean a first holiday for me without all the noise and chaos I love. Could I really handle that? Well, I would soon find out because it happened–an honest to goodness blizzard rolled in late Christmas Eve and just howled all of Christmas Day. I spent a few minutes on Christmas morning teasing my husband that I was taking off and heading the 65 miles back home to my family. He actually thought I was serious at first! I might have been serious, especially after calling my parents and hearing the weather back home was nothing compared to what we were dealing with. But I am an adult, and more importantly, I am a mother and I have this family to keep me grounded and realistic. I knew I would never risk my life or my family’s just to satisfy my longing for a holiday tradition.

Once our children woke, it was a flurry of activity. There was the discovery that Santa didn’t really hold true to his promise of no presents if a certain 4 year old didn’t quit beating up on her 2 year old brother. There were a few more presents from Mommy and Daddy, and even more presents from some great out of state friends. It was a fun morning, and you know what I discovered? I actually enjoyed the calmness of the morning. There was no rushing around for anyone to get to church (because even church had been cancelled!). There was no rush to get everyone dressed and fed. There was no rush to load up. There was no rush to break any speed limits in hopes of making it to “The Farm” before the first plate had been filled. There was no stress in Mommy’s voice because things weren’t going the way they were “supposed to.” This family just hung out and enjoyed the day. We ate our Christmas Eve leftovers, played some more, and then everyone napped.

Would I do it all over again? Don’t tell my husband, but yes, I could do it this way again. We had our own fun as a family and our own relaxing time. I was even able to focus more this year on the real meaning of the holiday. I guess I allowed myself more time for reflection. And I allowed myself to be a kid again.

BUT—all is not lost. My Mom called shortly before noon on Christmas Day. Due to worsening weather conditions, the family would be meeting at “The Farm” on Sunday!

About the author: Jill Kimle

Jill is a farm wife from the Kenesaw area with two BUSY children under the age of 5. She will admit to being in her upper 30's, and if you ask her specific age, she won't shy away from telling it. ("My kids will look at me in ten years and think I'm pretty old!")