Age changes a lot of your preferences. I willingly order Brussels sprouts as a side at restaurants, and I think 5-year-old me would pass out at the mere thought of consuming a vegetable. I won’t leave my house without Chapstick or a water bottle of sorts, and as a teenager I couldn’t be bothered to go out with anything but a wad of cash and my cellphone. I desperately want a pair of good-looking, supportive tennis shoes – a stark contrast from the Converse I wore every day of my 13th year of life.
I was recently making a Christmas list for my 4-month-old, as a new mom does, and started giggling thinking about the items I’d like to put on mine.
Number one on the list is a maid. Maybe not a full-fledged maid but someone to at least help me with the laundry. I wonder how many hours I’d have in a day if I weren’t doing laundry for most of it?
As previously mentioned, I’d really like a new pair of tennis shoes. Is it too much to ask for a girl to have some arch support and not look like a grandpa? (No offense to the grandpas out there, but supportive footwear is not exactly stylish.) Come to think of it, I could really use a whole wardrobe refresh.
My kitchen appliances are getting tired – a toaster oven and microwave come to top of mind – and a new kitchen table would be lovely. On the subject of furniture, I’d love a patio set for our front porch and a high-end rocking chair for the nursery. (It’s great to save money, but I’ve learned my lesson on skimping on a chair I spend most of my nights in.)
My truck needs new tires – scratch that, all three of our vehicles need new tires. My husband’s truck could use a new transmission and probably four other expenses I’m not aware of. I have a few hospital bills from the past year I’d like to leave in 2025. A skiing accident last spring has me in a knee brace and recovering from surgery; if I could wave a wand and be magically healed, that would be neat.
This grown-up Christmas list is quite different from my 4-month-old's. His consists of new clothes and new toys. Not too long ago, mine would've been fairly similar. Age and life experiences change your wishes – now mine are based on functionality rather than the coolest new gadgets or gizmos.
Jokes aside, all I want for Christmas is a fresh blanket of snow and some snuggles with my husband and little boy. Motherhood can be a cruel teacher, but it sure strips life down to the bare bones and doesn’t leave room for much fluff. I’ve come to realize these past few months that there are a lot of materialistic items and worldly noise to keep us distracted from what actually matters – God and family. I feel incredibly grateful to have both in my life. What else could I ask for?
May you feel the love and spirit of the season. Merry Christmas to you and yours, from your dear friends at Progressive Dairy.
