The memories of Christmas past flood back to me when we bake cookies with my grandson. It’s messy!
Of course it was even messier with my four kids all cutting and decorating, but even with one I am astounded at the messiness.
I was never the kind of mom to expect anything less than chaos during certain activities — like making Christmas cookies. I wanted them to enjoy the process and not be limited by my need for neatness or perfection.
Indeed they did. Indeed my grandson does.
In my not-so-pinworthy life, merriment is messy.
From the time the Christmas boxes come down from the attic until the final star is wrapped away for next year, things at my house get messy.
We don’t strive for a picture-perfect tree or household decor. Instead the tree is adorned with Sunday school craft gems from long ago.
When the grandson is here, we still make paper chains, cotton ball snow scenes and tissue paper wreaths. It can get messy!
In that messiness is the merriment!
Mom, can you let go a little and let the kids experiment, enjoy and play? Your cookies might not turn out looking like the ones in the magazine, but the kids will remember the mess and the merriment.
And you will be reminded that while mothering is messy, it is a gift.
Merry Christmas from my mom’s heart to yours.
