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To Write or Shop. That Is the Question.

presentsI have family, and needless to say, I love them.  We are fast approaching the time of year when we express our love for people most obviously by producing gifts under a decorated tree.  The tradition stretches back through ages of deep and silly happiness, year after year, so I’m not giving it up.

It means I need to shop, as in: it is a true project with a deadline.  Since zillions of others need to shop, too, I get this sense of frenzy out there, this rush of people infused with frantic, hyped up anxiety.  The ads and stories coming at me via TV, newspaper, radio, and Internet bombard me with one unrelenting message: get out there and buy.  Go!  Buy!

Yeah, but no.  I don’t do frenzy.  Obviously, I need to shop online to avoid the mall horror, except I’m running out of delivery time, so it really needs to happen now.  Here’s my computer.  My credit card is at the ready.  What’s stopping me?

I want to write.

My work place (my computer) and my shopping place (my computer) are the same thing.  It becomes strikingly obvious that I’m neglecting one activity for the other as soon as I turn on my MacBook.  When I recall my priorities: 1) Family, 2) Writing, 3) Everything Else, shopping for family for Christmas seems to belong in Category 1.  But that still feels wrong, and I think I’ve found out why.

Those presents under the tree are only part of the story.  For my family, Christmas is really about getting together.  It’s a milestone, time-marking tradition where we consciously and subconsciously realize another year has passed and here we are, glad to be home in the same place with one another.  We share music, faith, great meals, and laughs together.  Christmas is when I feel the real gifts are that I have happy kids, a loving husband, meaningful work, and a kind community.  Wrapped presents can’t touch that kind of deep joy.  They’re only tokens representing the love underneath.

Aww, so sweet, right?  It’s true, though.

What does this mean, practically, for my shopping vs. writing dilemma?  I’m doing what other working moms are doing: I’m writing during my work hours, and shopping when I get a chance, at night or on breaks.  Enough will get done, and no one will miss what doesn’t.  After all, it’s Christmas that’s coming.

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