The Show Must Go On

In my mind, The Christmas Season cannot possibly begin until I sit down for the annual Ward family evening Thanksgiving meal under dimly lit candles & Christmas music playing softly in the background. Then shortly after (within hours or days) we put up the tree. Stability & consistency are important with family & particularly young ones. But truth be known, I wasn't going to prepare the big meal this year as this lingering, wretched economy has forced us to cut back a great deal. Plus my wife's work hours are beyond grotesque. Just wasn't feeling up to the average 36 hours of meal planning, shopping & cooking that is required for such an event (& did I mention I have a really bad back?). But a gentle prompting from my oldest encouraged me to once again take the plunge. This Thanksgiving certainly wasn't without it's difficulties, frustrations, & fatigue, but just between us girls & the fence post, I'm glad I did it. Creating memories doesn't put money in your bank account or quiet your cynics, but in the end, those things won't matter anyway. Few remember personal accolades & material acquisitions after we're gone, but how we raise our children affects generations. -cW.