The Times, They Are A Changin'

           Change.  It’s a scary word that I try and keep locked away in my brain under the section entitled Try Not To Think About It.  But change is inevitable; there’s no point in trying to stop it.  Although I try my hardest not to think about it, change is happening all around me.  Being a 20 year old college student, change is something I have to live with almost every day.  If you haven’t already guessed it, I’m not a big fan of change.

            With the holiday season here, this is where change is put on hold, right?  I mean think about it for a moment.  Family holiday traditions are what postpone change until after the holiday season is over.  Going to visit family, baking cookies, singing holiday songs, and being together are moments that occur every single year, don’t they?  Well, at least in my family they do.  During the holiday season, I am most happy, most thankful, and most excited about family traditions that I have participated in since I was a little girl. So why all of the sudden do I feel like the Grinch, and have been singing the holiday blues?  Is it because I’m fighting change??

            As I am growing up, I am suddenly realizing that change is coming at a much faster pace than I anticipated.  I am suddenly aware that in a year from now, I will be a senior in college getting ready to graduate.  I am also aware that my younger brother will also be a senior (a senior in high school, that is) getting ready to graduate as well.  What?!  Did I really just say that?  It seems like just yesterday that my parents were bringing him home from the hospital.  When did that change occur? 

            Each year as I grow older, I find something in my life that has changed.  Whether it be a significant change or a minor change, there is always something changing in my life.  We just celebrated Thanksgiving not too long ago.  Maybe that’s where my uncertainty and Grinch-like thoughts have developed from.  We usually have Thanksgiving dinner at my house each year.  This year, we celebrated at my grandparents.  What’s so wrong with that?  Okay, so we switched it up a little bit this year.  No big deal, right?  Right?  During Thanksgiving break is also the first time our family allows Christmas movies to be watched.  Unfortunately, we were not able to watch a Christmas movie that week.  So what, who cares, no big deal, right?

            On Christmas Eve leading up to Christmas Day, our most valuable traditions take place.  Each year, we celebrate on Christmas Eve with my mom’s side of the family at my grandparent’s house.  The whole family gets dressed up real nice, looking our best, and enjoying each other’s company while opening presents leading up to dinner.  After dinner, we part ways and spend time with our other sides of the family.  This year, with all of us grandchildren getting older and being involved in more and more activities, we might have to switch around a few things.  Although the day might be a little different than previous years, I’m still excited for a memorable day with my family.  What’s so wrong with a little change?  Can I really be upset about traditions being broken because of us grandchildren growing up and being more involved in activities?   I must be going crazy for even considering a change as little as this to be something that could ruin the holidays.

            Maybe I’m the sole problem in my holiday blues.  Maybe it’s just me and my animated mind that has me going crazy.  No one else around me seems to be worrying about anything, or getting upset over silly traditions that couldn’t take place this year.  Am I really the culprit with my Grinch-like thoughts and holiday blues? 

            So I’m growing up.  Whoopie.  I can only image that life will be throwing curve balls of change my way for the next several years.  I can’t change the world around me anymore than I can change my height (and for those of you who know me know my feelings on being vertically challenged). I can only sit back and enjoy the wonderful gifts that I have been blessed with during this holiday season. There are so many things to be thankful for during this time of year and the things I am most thankful for are as follows: My family and friends, my health, and Canada for giving us Justin Bieber.

Happy Holidays