Blink and you’ll miss it
December 23, 2008 – 10:28 amThis is one of my favorite holiday posts from last year. I’m re-posting to get myself in the holiday spirit.
***
After a hard weekend of house painting and chores, Sunday night I proclaim that we will be doing something FESTIVE and fun.
One of the newer malls in downtown Seattle boasts holiday festivities every evening. Perfect.
We pile into the car (me, Jay, CJ, and my sister) and head for downtown. A few minutes later, we’re there.
We find a parking spot and file into the shopping center where the sounds of Christmas music and the sight of GIANT NUTCRACKERS greet us with holiday cheer.
People are everywhere, hurrying and scurrying between Tiffany and Barnes & Noble, weighed down by massive bags, their faces tense and their eyes glazed over.
Thankfully we are not here to shop.
We wander aimlessly until we reach the atrium. High school girls are singing Christmas carols from a makeshift stage while people hurry by. CJ plops down on the floor in front of them to listen. We sit down beside him.
Several minutes go by, and I am surprised that CJ seems content to just sit here, his head propped against my arm, a far-off look in his eyes.
Slowly, I feel my mind quiet. The other shoppers, the noise and the hurry, all these things melt away until it’s just me and the warm spot where CJ presses against me and the singers.
I look at these girls singing so passionately; I notice their pink cheeks and their carefully combed hair, and I’m overwhelmed by a feeling of tenderness. As they carefully climb on and off the stage for their solo’s, one minute they seem so grown-up and self-assured, the next minute they’re painfully young and awkward.
They sway from side to side and smile self-consciously and seem to really be enjoying themselves. They look beautiful.
A tall slim girl with red hair and a black velvet dress begins Silent Night. Her voice is sure and her eyes dreamy. I think I love the song even more because her singing isn’t perfect.
As I sit here, I’m struck by how many people are missing this. From my seat on the cool marble, it’s the best show of the night. But from the vantage point of a harried shopper, it doesn’t even merit a pause.
It’s moments like these that can make this the most wonderful time of the year.
The smells and sounds and sparkling lights and being with those you love best…
THIS is Christmas.
If you’re not careful, you’ll miss it.
***
Have a wonderful Christmas… or whatever holiday you celebrate… and may you have many beautiful moments to warm you.
~Jen
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By Not the Queen on Dec 19, 2007 | Reply
Peace on Earth. At last.
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By Jen on Dec 19, 2007 | Reply
Stop it! You’re making me weepy!
That was lovely. (And I say that in spite of the fact that I hate teenage girls.)
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By She Likes Purple on Dec 19, 2007 | Reply
Great, great post. I couldn’t agree more. “If you’re not careful, you’ll miss it.”
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By All Adither on Dec 19, 2007 | Reply
I totally dig your attitude.
Angie
(www.AllAdither.com)
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By Heather, Queen of Shake-Shake on Dec 19, 2007 | Reply
Look at you! All sentimental! I love it!
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By nell on Dec 19, 2007 | Reply
That sounds so nice. I need to just stop and breathe and enjoy more often.
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By Mrs. Schmitty on Dec 19, 2007 | Reply
Ahhh…what a perfect Christmas moment! Thanks for sharing!
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By skiplovey on Dec 19, 2007 | Reply
Wow, what a great post. And what a great attitude too!
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By Wendy on Dec 19, 2007 | Reply
Oh, I’m so glad to hear it was good. I hope to get there Friday the same way — No shopping/only fun.
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By Jessica @ A Bushel and a Peck on Dec 20, 2007 | Reply
Great post. We have been trying hard this year not to get so wrapped up in the stress that we don’t enjoy the holidays. Thanks for the reminder!
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By Rachel on Dec 20, 2007 | Reply
What a great post. I wish there was less stress during Christmas. We all need to take the time to stop and really remember what Christmas is about.
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By Carla Stream on Dec 21, 2007 | Reply
Sadly some think that Silent Night is just a song.
It’s one of my favorites. Thank you!
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By Kimmylyn on Dec 21, 2007 | Reply
Great post. I plan to slow down on Sunday night and just inhale it all in before it goes away. :)
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By Liz@thisfullhouse.com on Dec 21, 2007 | Reply
Beautiful, as always - Happy Holidays, sweetie!
Oh, and thanks for reminding me NOT to, you know, miss it!
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By Dumblond on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
That was nice. Thanks for re-sharing that.
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By Carrie on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
Merry Christmas to you too!
Carries last blog post..Note to the weather
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By Kimber on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
Wonderful post. What an awesome attitude to have this time of year.
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By Mrs. G. on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
Merry Christmas!
Mrs. G.s last blog post..You Had To Know It Was Coming
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By Carla on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
Merry Christmas, Jen.
Carlas last blog post..Timanease
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By Kathleen on Dec 23, 2008 | Reply
That is a lovely story! I went for a run this evening just to take in the all the Christmas lights. It was perfect.
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By Teresa on Dec 24, 2008 | Reply
I loved your story and you are so right. We are all so busy we miss the little things that count. Merry Christmas.
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By sheila on Dec 24, 2008 | Reply
HA! I thought it was going to end with the reason your son sat still in front of the choir…that he was looking up a dress or something. Sorry. Minds in the gutter. I’m used to your funny posts I guess. lol.
Merry Christmas! (btw, that WAS a great post!)
sheilas last blog post..Maybe we’ll get it right next year. On all fronts.
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By KT on Dec 25, 2008 | Reply
merry christmas
KTs last blog post..Actually…….I’m moving now.
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By Jessica Bern on Dec 26, 2008 | Reply
You couldn’t be more right. Thanks for the reminder. I’m always in a hurry. Have been since the day I was born (I was even 11 days early). I’m so in a hurry all the time I forget I want to slow down. Seriously.
Jessica Berns last blog post..Listen, Learn, Receive
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By creative-type dad on Dec 29, 2008 | Reply
Hope you had a great Christmas!
creative-type dads last blog post..A Real Christmas Vacation…
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By Heidi on Dec 29, 2008 | Reply
You are so right!
Heidis last blog post..a possible career change
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By Claire B. on Jan 2, 2009 | Reply
Oh! Thank you for replaying this one. Lovely. I just heard about a social experiment where this world famous violinist played his $3 miilion violin near the Metro station in D.C. He had just sold out several performances at $100+ per seat. He played there for 45 minutes and hardly anyone noticed. He collected $32, mostly from people who didn’t even stop. Little kids would, though. They stopped and turned their heads as their moms pulled them away down the street.
One of the world’s very best musicians, playing some of the greatest music ever written. And hardly anyone noticed.
Blink and you’ll miss it, indeed.
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By Dana on Jan 3, 2009 | Reply
I hope your holidays were wonderful! Happy New Year :)
Danas last blog post..Saturday Morning
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