I love to reminisce on the days when I was young, innocent, and my only worry was whether I would be allowed to play outside after the sun went down. This christmas, my brother thought it would be funny to make fun of how excited I used to get about Christmas- I was completely and absolutely infatuated with the holiday. I LOVED Christmas. I loved the decorations, the music, the anticipation, the stash of presents that slowly grew bigger as December 25th approached, going to Christmas Eve mass in an obnoxious dress my mom said I should wear, opening one present on Christmas Eve; I loved waking up at 3am on christmas morning only to find that “Santa” hadn’t come yet and running back to bed, dragging my parents out of bed at 7am by making them coffee, and spending the day in PJ’s opening presents.
Can you tell I like Christmas?
I liked it so much that I would be in tears at the end of the day because Christmas was over! In the blink of an eye my most anticipated holiday ended and I had to wait another…(here it comes)…364 days for the next Christmas! Oh, the horror! So at 10 pm on Christmas night, I would climb up onto my brother’s bunk bed (because having slumber parties with your siblings was super cool), curl up under the covers, and cry myself to sleep. My brother, who occupied the bottom bunk bed, would ask me what was wrong. Between heaves and sniffles, I managed to tell him that “Christmas…sniff, sniff, sniff…is…sniff, sniff…over!” More tears. More sniffles. More blubbering. 
This year my brother rubbed that emotionally sensitive experience in my face.
“Caitlyn, you’re not going to cry tonight, now are you?”
“No Erik. I think I can hold myself together this year.”
“Good. Because we wouldn’t want you getting upset.”
“No, that wouldn’t be too impressive for a 24-year-old. I think I’ll be okay. Thanks for your concern.”
And I held true to my word. No tears were shed this Christmas, or last Christmas for that matter. Instead, I was a bit excited for the holiday to be over. Whereas in the past I would build Christmas up to be THE best day of the whole year, I realize now that any day can be the BEST if I make it so. Monday could have been the best day because someone gave me a high-five while I was running on the Greenway. That was motivating! Yesterday could have been the best day because I got to hold my friends 2.5 day old baby. My heart melted and I decided if all else fails in life, I will be a professional baby holder.
Caitlyn Glynn, PBH <– pretty impressive, eh?
I have matured a lot since those days when I would cry myself to sleep on Christmas night. What good was weeping about something I couldn’t change? Nada! It’s all about making the most of eat day. If you’re unhappy, then find happiness. If you’re bored, find a hobby. If you’re struggling, then find a way to tackle whatever you’re struggling with.
Smile and make the best of today!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Awwwe, that’s so sweet that you cried! In a “sweet-sad” kind of way. It showed your innocence and true joy for the holiday. I do miss how fantastic every holiday, especially Christmas, was back then. It would take FOREVER to get here with all the hours being counted down and what not. And then needing to stay up as late as possible to try and catch Santa only to just miss him. Ah, magical.
Awww, loved this post!!
Awwww Caitlyn, such a softie
haha. I remember crying on the first day of a vacation once because “in 10 days it will be over and I will have to go home.” We’re only human, right?! Glad you had a great Christmas!!
I am the biggest softie on earth. Haha. I’m getting better, though!
I love this post. I love your attitude. You’re so right, that ANY day can be something wonderful.
And all of these pictures are so lovely.
I love to read your posts….sounds like you had a great Christmas!! I can’t recall crying because Christmas was over, but I have to admit….I do tend to get a little tearie-eyed when it’s time to leave Disney World. I usually plan a trip once or twice a year and am filled with anxiety and anticipation as the time to go there approaches….I feel like skipping around like a little (ha, yes.. I said little) girl….I just can’t wait. I just love everything about Disney…well, except for when it’s super crowded…but I try to not pay any attention to the crowd – I just soak up every second of every minute of every hour of everyday that I’m there. But then that darn dreaded day comes, that it’s time to have to leave Disney World behind..and I’m so sad for the entire day. My husband takes lots of pictures during our stay each time we go….which makes my time there seem endless as I go thru the pictures and remember all the fun we had there. And then I feel happy again and look forward to another trip…and then I’m filled with anxiety and anticipation again!!