My Wish For Christmas
I'm going to keep it short today since it is Christmas, but taking today off from writing felt like looking for an excuse not to focus on my dream. I've taken enough days off this year already, and honestly, today just feels like a day to me. This definitely won't go down in the books as my favorite Christmas. We aren't with family. There were no decorations and no gifts. We are running on fumes after getting back to our friend's guest room at about 1:30 last night. It's been a draining day, and that's really all it's felt like. I'm very lucky that I have my spouse home, though, and I am holding on to that fact, as well as knowing that next Christmas will look very different with so many amazing firsts. I know some people had the best Christmas ever, and others are really struggling, so I just want to say:
To the spouse who is alone this Christmas…I hope you find community
To the spouse who couldn't see family this year…I hope you know that you are missed and that the celebrations will happen soon
To the spouse who has to celebrate later…I hope you feel the magic of Christmas when that day comes
To the spouse who is worried about the safety of their service member…I hope they come home soon
To the spouse who can't put food on the table…I hope you find resources to serve your family
To the spouse who is waiting for a call from someone they love far away…I hope the phone rings
To the spouse visiting family alone…I hope you don't have to wave off too many questions that you either can't answer or don't know the answer to
To the spouse whose kids are missing their parent…I hope this Christmas becomes memorable in a good way
To the spouse struggling with an illness…I hope you find healing
To the spouse in a whole new place…I hope it feels like home
To the spouse whose Christmas looks nothing like they wanted…I hope you can make up for it next year
To the spouse who is celebrating in a hotel room…I hope you find a home
To the spouse who is struggling to pay the bills…I hope the pay raise goes a long way
To the spouse who is struggling in their marriage…I hope you find peace regardless of what that looks like (or what anyone tells you it should look like)
To the spouse who is representing their service member to the in-laws…I hope you only feel love
To the spouse on Zoom…I hope the internet connection is strong
To the spouse whose parents or in-laws don't seem to understand boundaries…I hope that communication flows smoothly
To the spouse playing Santa all by themselves…I hope your kids light up with joy
To the spouse who can't do their traditions…I hope you make new ones
To the spouse who looks around at all the other couples…I hope you feel some romance
To the spouse crippled under the mental load of the holiday season…I hope you find equity
To the spouse who is just struggling…I hope you find room to breathe
To the spouse who didn't get anything they asked for…I hope those gifts come in the new year
To the spouse who worked hard on the magic…I hope you feel appreciated
To the spouse who is running on fumes…I hope you get a good night's sleep
To the spouse struggling with infertility…I hope the new stocking gets hung next year
To the spouse struggling with the first Christmas after loss…I hope you can hold the memories and love you felt close because that magic of Christmas still exists
To the spouse who got everything they wanted…I hope you get it again next year
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and hope that everyone sees their dreams come true next year under that tree.