So it’s December 1st and Holiday Crazy Time is nigh. I already have four events booked in early December for myself and my daughter. She’s three and this will be the first year I think she’ll really *get* Christmas. I’m taking advantage of that and intend to have as much holiday fun this year that we can.

It helps that I just met two crazy deadlines (although I have two more starting as of today). So, while I will have work in December (working never ends), I’ll be able to take time off here and there for festivals and Christmas related charity events. I’m really looking forward to it.

Of course, that means lots of venues packed with stressed parents and children who can feel that stress and are reacting to it. Now that I’m a mom I’m plunged right into lots of events like that. It’s just chaos, pure and simple. What I see a lot of at festivals are moms and dads desperately trying to enjoy the day while also refereeing arguments between siblings, dealing with tantruming toddlers, and trying to wrest objects out of little grasping fingers. Been there, done that, got the badge of honorable conduct in parenting warfare.

I remember this one time (in Band Camp. I can never say this one time without adding in Band Camp to it anymore. *sigh*) a mother wanted to take a picture of her son, who looked miserable, so she basically demanded that he stand up straight, smile, and look like he was having fun, damn it! The little kid looked ready to burst into tears by the time she snapped the photo.

Now, I totally get losing your patience with children, especially if you’re leading around four or five of them. And I’m really not much for crowds. They make me tense. So I get that too. But all day long at these events I look around me and see people looking harassed instead of happy and I keep wondering…if you’re not going to enjoy it, why do it?

I don’t mean to get preachy, but this moment is unique. It’s never going to happen exactly this way ever again. Don’t blink, (you know, metaphorically), or you’ll miss it. Every single event has beauty and, if you’re open to it, you’ll be able to see it. Even if your child is cranky, your feet hurt, and some random lady just halted her stroller in the middle of the pathway right in front of you for the. five. hundredth. time.

Because you never know when your moments are going run out. Don’t take these you’re having right now for granted.

Please, y’all, do me a favor and wallow in at least one moment for me. Do it after you’re done reading this post. Seep into right now. Close your eyes if it makes it easier. Don’t think about the past or the future. Don’t think about what you need to get at the grocery store or how so-and-so just really pissed you off. Just concentrate on being exactly where you are at exactly this moment in time. Concentrate on what you hear, what you smell. Concentrate on your body in your clothes and your feet in your shoes. Note it, let it go, and float. See the beauty in it.

For anyone willing to play, tell me about your experience in the comments.

And, oh!, can’t forget to announce the winner of the contest I posted the last time I blogged here! The winner of my book trailer contest for a copy of Wicked Enchantment when it releases next month is… Fedora! Congrats! Please drop me an email at anyabast (at) gmail.com, Fedora!