I dared to open this door. This is my “Christmas attic”. Looks can be deceiving but this goes back about 8’ and it’s stuffed! Now, I’m usually the weekend after Thanksgiving to start Christmas decorating kinda gal. This year I’m thinking a little differently. Here’s a story why……
I have a neighbor named Sunday (yes, that’s her real name) who always decorated early. I’m talking, every year in October, as I walked by her home, I could see it was ready for Christmas. No lights on, but it’s clearly ready to go. I thought, how crazy is that? It’s too early! Yet, in early November, Sunday would turn everything on. I’m an early-morning dog walker. So it’s dark and very quiet. Sunday, like me, is also an early riser; her home glowed in those early hours. As I walked past her home, I felt pure joy and warmth. I looked forward every morning to seeing her home. Last year, when October came, I noticed no decorations in Sunday’s home. Maybe she’s on vacation or a late start this year?
But, as November came and went, I realized there would be no decorations this year. I was so sad and mourned the loss every day as I walked by. Finally, I caught Sunday outside and asked her, why?! Her simple answer was that she aged out of Christmas decorating. It became too difficult and unsafe for her to climb her counters and ladders. I wanted Sunday to know what it meant for me to see her holiday home all of these years. She was so delighted and touched to know how I felt. So, when is it too early to start? There are no rules I’m aware of. In past years, my normal decorating schedule has me overwhelmed, frustrated, and swearing. I’m not doing all this decorating next year! Maybe…Sunday has been doing it right all this time. Pacing herself and just taking her time. Why not start enjoying the Christmas season sooner rather than later?
This year my early morning walks past Sunday’s home are still dark. But as I keep on walking, I see my home with an early holiday glow. Maybe I can give someone else the warmth and joy that Sunday’s home has given me all those years. ❤️
-Kim Corbin
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