I used to get upset, since the kids were little, about the mess they leave after the Christmas gifts were opened and they would go on to enjoy them.
I used to have an extra big bag ready to pick up every tiny scrap of red or green flakes or the tags, the plastic wraps from the batteries, the bows and the notes with the quick handwriting. I would quickly pick up the shoes, the blankets, the cups. I would arrange the cushions, the dog toys, the half empty boxes of sweets, the chargers and the socks.
Today, I refuse to pickup anything or at least wait some time to re-live the memories. Now that the kids are older, and make fun of me as the designated after Christmas trash picker, I wish that I would have taken longer to enjoy the moments. To breath-in the smells of the cinnamon rolls, the hot chocolate, the lingering residues of the cooked bananas from the pasteles the night before, remember the screaming sounds of excitement, the busy laughters, the music from the old record tapes.
I am already missing all the 20+ years that have gone so quickly and before the next ones are gone, I will make sure that I stare at this picture and enjoy the past and look forward to the ones that will come.
If anyone reads this message don’t buy any bags or rush to clean up the mess, just take the time to inhale the beauty of each Christmas morning and be thankful of all the blessings that life brings you every year!