The Call of the Christmas Cookie

 

I can't remember the last time I made Christmas cookies. I used to make gorgeous cookies and enjoyed giving them away, but it just got to be too much for me physically. But today, I decided that I needed some Christmas cookies. 

Fortunately, I had a sugar cookie mix, some cream cheese icing in a can, and I found some Christmas sprinkles in my cabinet. I didn't get fancy. No rolling out of dough or using cookie cutters. I just dropped the dough on the cookie sheet. I opened my can of frosting and put a liberal dollop on top of each cookie. Then I began to try to sprinkle tiny green trees on top of the icing. However, I was unaware that the top  of the little red ball sprinkles (this is one of those containers with several different types of sprinkles) had popped open as well. 

I have already found two of these in my slipper. Several somehow made it several feet to land under the table. Some have rolled under the cabinets. I have a feeling I will be picking up little red balls until my housekeeper comes back in January! 

I have been trying not to eat as many sweets this holiday season. But sometimes, you just have to have a Christmas cookie. 

Unhappy Holidays

 

When I was still working as a counselor, I usually volunteered to take call during the week of Christmas. I had no children and my family all lived close. This freed my co-workers who had children and/or relatives far away to be able to enjoy the holiday without having to worry about staying in town. 

Without fail, every year I received at least one call from someone who was suicidal. Sometimes I would get a call from someone who was homicidal. People who were coping the rest of the year seemed to fall apart at holiday time. Statistically, suicide rates actually tend to rise in the Spring, but I had my share of calls from people with suicidal ideation at holiday time. 

Many of my depressed clients would get more depressed during the Christmas season. Reasons could range from missing a loved one who had passed, missing far-away family, or just feeling extra lonely at this time of year. Real life is seldom like a Hallmark Channel movie. Feeling as if we should  be happy and carefree just puts more pressure on us when we don't feel that way at all. 

This has been a tough year for many. I look at the COVID statistics on the Mississippi Dept. of Health website and see the death toll. These are not just numbers, but beloved mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, and grandparents. Faces that won't be around the table for Christmas dinner. I will admit that I have found myself tearful this Christmas season. My Daddy died 10 years ago on the 15th of December. My mother will be gone 31 years this Christmas night. Some years the anniversary grief does not hit me that much. But, this year has been difficult. 

It's OK not to be OK this holiday season. Cry when you need to, Take care of yourself. Get enough rest and eat good food. Give yourself permission this year to do the things you really want to do and say no to the things that don't feed your soul or that add to your sadness. 

And PLEASE, if you are feeling suicidal and find yourself making a plan, CALL someone! Our local mental health has someone on call 24/7 at 601-831-0357. Or call the national suicide hotline at 1-800-275-8255. Don't be a statistic this Christmas. 

The Christmas Crud

 

I call it the “Christmas Crud.” Despite all my precautions, I get it every year. I stay slightly immune suppressed due to my need for daily steroids, and this does not help matters. It is nothing drastic. Sore throat, congestion, and a slight headache are the main symptoms. 

I have learned from hard experience that it does not pay to push it. Singing is possible, but not comfortable. And, I know if I sing or speak very much at this point, I can risk being without my voice for weeks and even months. I have twice had ulcers on my vocal cords which required months or vocal rest and speech therapy to heal. I just can’t go through that again if I can help it. 

I had to back out of a singing commitment this week. It absolutely kills me not to be able to follow through on something I promise to do. I have been resting my voice this week in hopes that I will be able to follow through on the rest of my planned singing this month. I am thankful that at least, this year, I did not get it on Christmas week. I actually have a chance to get well before the big day. 

Maybe one year I won’t get the Christmas crud.

Here’s hoping.