Have yourself a merry little Christmas.

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I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and even if you don't celebrate, I hope that you were able to spend some quality time with friends and family. There are times when family can be annoying and embarrassing and just plain old miserable, but there is still a sense of comfort when spending the holidays with family. I spent a night out catching up with some high school friends on Thursday, and it was so great to see them after all these months living in my own "Philly bubble." Contrary to previous years, I am spending a very quiet Christmas at home with my parents and siblings. No big dinners, no little cousins running around the house, no mounds upon mounds of ripped up wrapping paper by the end of the night. Just the five of us, enjoying some prime rib roast and turkey and all the fixings. I miss seeing my other relatives for Christmas though. After all, I rarely see them now that I am at school, and it was always a fun time seeing my cousins and spending time with them. But I must say, it's quite nice being able to relax at home in my pajamas, not having to worry about the dangerous edges of the coffee table when my baby cousin is running around.

Every year my family goes to Christmas Eve mass, and after a crazy shift at work (the holidays make for absolute retail hell), I had to quickly change out of my red and khaki and into a glittery gold sweater dress. For many years now, I've always been extremely reluctant to go to church. I had always been forced to go, and ever since I was little, going to church seemed more like a chore than anything, and that defeats the purpose of the whole principle of it all, doesn't it? My reluctance isn't so much about my doubts about God, but rather about the church itself. And that always embittered me about going to mass every Sunday.

But anyways, that's for another time. The point that I was getting to was that despite my disagreements with my parents regarding mass, I began to make a habit of praying when in church. As I was going to pray at Christmas Eve mass, I realized...I couldn't think of what to pray for. My mind blanked (even though there are many things that I could have possibly prayed for), and then I realized that I didn't necessarily have to pray that night. I can simply just thank God for all that I am blessed with in life. I've had some rough times this year, and it was never always easy, but I am forever appreciative of how things have ensued. And perhaps I really don't need much else.

So I suppose that I never really wanted much for Christmas. Sure, there are small, menial things I'd love to have. But the gift of pursuing dreams and enjoying simple pleasures is far more valuable. And amidst all the holiday shopping and gift receiving, I can still look beyond it all and enjoy the gift of a new chapter in my life and new adventures. What more can a girl like me ask for?