Merry Christmas friends!



Here we are, the end of the year. To me, that’s so crazy. I mean, wasn’t I just talking about goal setting for 2022? Man! The older I get the faster it goes.

But I digress; let me start off with a series of questions:  How are you? Are you ready for Christmas?  Have you turned on Christmas music yet? Have you ate your weight in lefsa? Which side are you spending the holidays on? Is everyone going to the same place?

Ron and I are entering into a new season, not everyone is going to make it home to celebrate. For the last couple years it’s been hard to get Ashlyn on Christmas Eve. We try to do it Christmas day or the following day. That’s tough by the way, because you want everyone home. But that was just a test for us I think, because this year has its own set of challenges. One of the kids will spend it at their significant other’s family, another kid has to waitress that night and of course, Ashlyn is in Colorado. Such a bummer, but I realized that we can’t always have it the way we want it, unfortunately.

This makes me think of how I want to live the last years of my life with Ron and I in one of nine granny pods on my kids’ land. Isn’t that a perfect idea? We switch it up, every year, we stay at each place for a month and 2 ½ weeks and each kid gets a stab at having us for Christmas and all the other family can come to us if they want to. Brilliant. Every December, we sit down and see who claims us for the 12 months and away we go. The the other 10 ½ months they can rent it out as an airbnb. Yes, this is the dream.

I just hope that they live in different states, so we get to see some country.

But in all seriousness, for those of you with grown kids, feel free to drop me an email and tell me how you all make it work. Ron and I sure want to have a great Christmas with all the kids at some point, whether it’s the day of or a week later. Of course this year, we will have our main holiday event on the Eve, which will include my most favorite holiday tradition – each kid makes something and it’s an all appetizer menu. We always look forward to Kara’s smokey wieners, and Tedd’s reindeer poop chex mix (it really is good) and Maggie’s veggie tray shaped into a Christmas ornament or tree of some kind. But the bottom line is, they make it.

So with that said, I want to leave you with one thing. Support others this time of year. Give your time and talents. Sometimes I think that’s worth more than anything. If you have some wood tools and a neighbor that might not be able to afford Christmas, think of something you could help him or her make. Young or old. Got a sewing machine or craft items? Make some snacks and help out.

Until next time,

Fairchild “Have a blessed Christmas!” Farmgirl

 

Suzanne Fairchild is a freelance writer who lives on a farm in southwest Minnesota with her husband and children. She can be reached at rmf@itctel.com.