I've really dropped the ball this holiday season

We're talking no family photos.

No holiday cards.

I haven't even wrapped the presents yet.

I never mailed the kids' lists to Santa.

We have yet to make a gingerbread house.

We've only driven around to look at the pretty lights once.

And we have yet to watch 'It's A Wonderful Life.'

It feels like I've dropped the ball.

Not only that, it feels like the ball has fallen and shattered, and like I don't even have the energy or desire to clean up the mess.

BUT...

I have let the kids listen to Christmas songs on the way to school every morning since November 1st.

We overdecorated our home's interior to make up for not hanging a single knickknack for Halloween or Thanksgiving.

We've sat out by the fire pit twice and watched a movie from the hot tub.

Just today, we had donuts for breakfast.

I've only forgotten to my elf duties a handful of times.

And, we've made time for a conversation about the real meaning of Christmas beyond the lavish meals, gifts, and parties.

So maybe I haven't actually dropped the ball.

Perhaps, though, I've ditched the ball and any expectations I had for how the holidays should be, look, smell, and cost.

Maybe I didn't drop the ball at all.

Maybe me focusing less on what we do with our time together and more on our how our time together makes us feel is me taking my peace by the balls and not letting the stress of the season steal from it's intended meaning.