Dear Mom,
Reflecting on your extraordinary efforts as a single mother during the holidays leaves me in awe. With six children to care for, your ability to create a joyful Christmas season is nothing short of remarkable. As I navigate my own holiday planning this December, I find myself overwhelmed—and I only have two kids!
You often tell me, “I don’t know how you manage it these days,” but honestly, you were juggling a small baseball team, all while working full-time and crafting a magical Christmas without the conveniences of the Internet. It truly boggles my mind.
As I lay awake last night, mulling over my lengthy holiday to-do list, I was struck by how you transformed each December into a season of wonder. Let me illustrate:
December 1
Me: I have my children write their letters to Santa, then tackle some work from home. A few hours of online shopping and a quick trip to Target later, I feel like I’m nearly done, aside from a few gifts that I’ll have my partner pick up. After dinner, we settle in, eagerly awaiting our package deliveries.
You: You juggle six unique Christmas lists, each with different interests, before dashing off to drop us at two separate schools. Then it’s off to your 9-5 job, followed by a hasty trip to the mall for a 45-minute shopping sprint during lunch. After work, you’re off to soccer and football practices, fitting in more shopping, preparing dinner for all seven of us, and then secretly wrapping gifts late into the night. You do all this while knowing we’ll be on a scavenger hunt for those hidden presents the next morning.
December 15
Me: By now, we’ve picked up a modest Christmas tree from Home Depot. Our evening is calm, with just the four of us decorating while sipping hot cocoa. With most of the kids’ gifts sorted, I can focus on thoughtful presents for friends and teachers.
You: You skip gifts for friends and teachers because time and money are tight. You manage to find a tree that pleases all six of us and decorate it without breaking our family heirlooms. Night after night, you stay up wrapping presents, ensuring everything is fair among us kids while also baking cookies, tolerating our endless bickering about who gets the last sprinkle.
December 24
Me: I make a reservation for Christmas Eve dinner since I’m worn out. After enjoying a meal and a cozy drive to see the lights, we return home to set out cookies for Santa, tuck the kids into bed, and maybe watch a movie.
You: You spend the day cooking a feast, running last-minute errands for forgotten items, and herding six excited kids to bed. After they’re tucked in, you stay up late, moving gifts from the trunk to under the tree and stuffing stockings, all while listening for any noise from the bedrooms.
Yet, somehow, by Christmas morning, you manage to create a personalized experience for each of us, fulfilling our wishes and imparting the true spirit of the season. You accomplish this with a smile, little sleep, and hardly any complaints, all while carrying the weight of loneliness on some Christmases when we’re with our dad.
You might downplay these efforts, saying, “I just did what I had to do,” but I see it differently. Your love and determination shone brightly through the chaos, and I want you to know that your hard work has not gone unnoticed. As I navigate the busy weeks ahead, I will strive to embody the warmth and joy you always brought to our holidays.
Merry Christmas, Mom!
As we embrace this season, it’s essential to remember the joy of family, love, and the magic of Christmas—even amidst the challenges. If you’re looking for resources on home insemination, I recommend checking out this excellent resource to get more insights. For those interested in home insemination kits, you can explore options at Make a Mom or this comprehensive kit.
In summary, your efforts as a single mother during the holidays have left an indelible mark on my heart, inspiring me to cherish these moments and create lasting memories for my own children.
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