Not Yet!!!

Starting a couple of weeks ago, I have woken up to my annoying, beeping alarm clock as usual. I blinked, debating whether to fall back asleep for a few more minutes, but finally gave in and stretched before sitting up. Then my next thoughts have shocked me every time: "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. Jack Frost nipping at your nose..."

No, not yet! It's way too early--it's not even Halloween!! Crap.

Let there be no doubt that I love Christmas songs and I love Christmas. I almost tear up every year hearing songs I've heard ever since I was a child. I love walking around to see twinkling Christmas lights on a cold night and then enjoying a warm cup of hot chocolate. But those who know me well know that I groan when I see Christmas decorations and hear Christmas music in October or November.

What about Thanksgiving? Why is Thanksgiving overshadowed? Being grateful seems to become an afterthought more and more these days anyway. Even the day devoted to giving thanks receives poor attention. Plus, some versions of Christmas songs should never have been recorded. (Just saying.) It's not that I don't like Christmas stuff, but it's hard to see the past the commercial selfishness with early products

So why the sudden change in my behavior that obviously opposes my usual holiday philosophy? I can only think of one explanation. My subconscious knows that Tracy will graduate in December, and it associates December automatically with Christmas. So because I want him to graduate, I subconsciously also want Christmas to come faster. Someone please explain to my subconscious that singing Christmas songs in October is not going to speed up time!

I will continue to look forward to December and Christmas, but with a little more appropriate anticipation, I hope. If not, I suppose I'll just have to face the music.