Christmas is exciting!
Presents, food, more food, games, wrapping paper, excited children running through the house screaming, excited pets who know something is happening but have not copped on to what yet, more food, Christmas cookies (25 types, Mom is an overachiever!), awake too late, up too early, no time to sleep, all the ovens baking, feasts, pies, presents.
All of this boils down to the wonder of Christmas.
For some people, Christmas is anything but wonderful.
There are many different reasons for this.
An estrangement.
Last of the family.
An argument.
A death.
Even as we are wrapped up in our fun and our joy and our food and our presents, it is important that we remember the struggles of others.
Some of these people you can invite in to the party.
Some of these people will not come to the party.
Some people we have to support from afar. Silently. Because naming them and expressing support is not to be done out loud.
It is also okay to be sad after the glitz and glamour of the holiday season is over. When the present has been drunk, or put away. When the last of the Christmas cookies have been eaten.
And the whole of society is left with the aftermath.
The mess, the decorations that have to be taken down and put away, and the leftover food that no one wants.
It is okay to be tired and sad.
Even at Christmas.
Especially at Christmas.
Dispatches from the Evening Shift 