This holiday season brought to you by…

I know we’re halfway through January and no one wants to talk about Christmas, but I need to pay tribute to this woman:

My mom! (Isn’t she beautiful?) Without my mom, Christmas would not have happened in these parts. There would have been no joy in Joyville, no roast beast, a tree without decorations, and maybe a toothbrush for each kid. That’s it.

December is always busy. This one was especially so. We had Addison’s baptism with many houseguests. Seth and I spent a lovely weekend in Las Vegas for Seth’s brother Crismon and new wife Danielle:

In the midst of all this wonderful celebration (and holiday concerts and perfomances and life) Seth had three major research papers due. I had just begun a new writing project, and was finishing up two big stories (found here and here). There weren’t enough hours in the day for all that needed to happen.

But happen they did, because Mom came to town and ran the show. She put me in my office and said, “You write. I’ll take care of the rest.” She bought and wrapped all the Christmas presents, down to the jammies and stocking stuffers. She watched the kids, all of them in the throes of pink eye, sinus infections, and strep throat, while Seth and I went to Las Vegas. When I came home I found new throw rugs in every room, the laundry folded, and all the bath toys squeaky clean in the dishwasher. Then she flew home (with pink eye, a sinus infection, and strep throat) to put together her own Christmas.

It has taken me a decade to realize that I will never live up to my mother. For a while that was a hard pill to swallow, but I’ve come to realize that I don’t have to. All I have to do is say thank you. Thank you! Thank you! Every day, to this remarkable woman, for the rest of my life.

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