On Sunday I listened to President Uchdorf’s Christmas message. He talked about how we sometimes try so hard to make the Christmas season too perfect. Then when things go wrong, as they always do, we feel disappointed. “We have in our minds a picture of how everything should be—the perfect tree, the perfect lights, the perfect gifts, and the perfect family events. … [But] sooner or later, something unpleasant occurs … and the picture-perfect Christmas we had imagined, the magic we had intended to create, shatters around us.”
His words couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time for us. On Monday we put up our Christmas tree for family home evening.
We have what some would call a “junk tree.” Each year we give the kids an ornament that reminds us of them during that year. Consequently, we have everything from Yoda to Scout Shirts to Spatulas hanging there. We were doing the math, and in 10 years we will have at least 70 more ornaments on that tree!
Toward the end of the evening we turned off the lights to sing Christmas carols. The kids who take piano lessons accompanied the singing- each of the older four knew at least one Christmas song. When it was Simon’s turn to choose a carol, he wanted to accompany us, too. He climbed up onto the piano bench, waited for me to start him, and confidently plunked out our “accompaniment” with 2 fingers. When the song was over he climbed down, satisfied.
I have to mention that during this time Jonah was curled up under a chair with his hands over his ears, yelling his own song to block out what we were singing.
Jeff and I just looked at each other and couldn’t stop laughing. Good thing we weren’t worried about perfection! At the end of the night Savannah made the comment that it was a great evening, so I guess perfection is not what great memories are made of.
Sounds like quite a comical night! Wish I could have been there. Miss you guys!!
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