What Am I Forgetting?

December 11th and I'm done. Everything is either bought or ordered (and should be arriving shortly.) This weekend I'll wrap it all; we'll put up the tree and write the Christmas letter. We'll address the cards and slap on the stamps. The cookie recipes will be pulled out and ingredients bought.

So why do I feel like I'm forgetting something?

We've been on email and the phone with family, coordinating the times and places of our holiday gatherings. The hotel rooms are booked, the bus and show tickets for New York purchased, and games have been dug out of closets.

So what am I missing?

We're ready for the bank party on Monday, the company party on Tuesday, the concert on Wednesday, dinner in honor of Pop (we sure do miss him) on Thursday and the school party on Friday.

Did I forget to put something on the calendar?

We've been watching the holiday specials - Charlie Brown and the Scrooge are favorites. The Christmas cds have been playing in the office, the kitchen and the livingroom.

So what am I forgetting? I know. Taking time to call a friend and just catch up. Stopping to watch the look on little ones' faces when they see Santa. Listening to the choir singing favorite carols - and singing along. Remembering that a gift of a smile, a hug, a shoulder to lean on is worth more than anything bought in a store.

I haven't forgotten. I hope you don't either.