I used to really connect with the Scrooge Character from A Christmas Carol. Not on the mentality that I wouldn't give anyone the time or day or a cent to charity. Just in the mindset that when the Holidays rolled around, I became a giant grouch.
I used to work in retail sales. I did so since I was in high school and did until I was 27 years old.
People do it longer, but I'd say that was a good amount of time.
I think that my grouchiness of the season developed from working in retail and dealing with customers around this time of the year. Because, for some reason, people really start to get mean and cruel when you can't seem to give them what they want. They do this all the time, but more so when its Christmas time. Especially when its two days before Christmas and they've waited until the last minute. and it's your fault you don't have what they want.
There's always a reason you can't give them what they want :
1. You don't have it in stock
2. It's not an item you sell in your store
3. the promotion is over and you're no longer carrying it
etc etc etc..
For some reason it's always the sales person's fault. Being in retail sales means you also have to smile, nod, and surrender the fact that you have to agree with that customer. "Yep, I'm wrong. I'm sorry, Sir/Ma'am." ( All the while in the back of my head I am thinking: " You are SO Rude! I want to know where YOU work so I can come to your job and harass you like you are doing to me right now. jerkface... " )
Working in retail meant extended working hours that I didn't like. And ( as a manager ) working more hours and not getting paid any more. When I worked at the mall I had to contend with mall traffic and parking, which was always a nightmare. All of these goings ons lead me to be a mean grouch during Christmas time. I didn't really enjoy that time of the year. This time of the year. It's supposed to be the "most wonderful time of the year!"
Well Dang it, it wasn't.
But this story has a happy ending.
I am regaining my whimsy and enjoying this time of the year more now. And I think that its due to my children. Seeing Christmas time through the eyes of a child rather than a grizzled humbug sales person has really turned me around. My kids are excited to see pretty lights and Santa. They love going to relatives houses and singing Jingle Bells. ( I am still warming up to certain Christmas songs at this point, that hasn't completely changed for me. ) My kids getting excited about this time of the year has gotten me excited for them. I like it. I like that I can give them wonderful Holiday experiences, and I can get over myself being jaded about the season.
We drove around our neighborhood the other night on the way home just so the kids could see who has lights up. The whole time they would "Oooooh and Ahhhhhh" at the lights. I seriously loved it.
Ellenore has become to understand certain things about Santa. She asked if Santa could come through our fire on Christmas Eve if we had it burning. We're going to watch The Santa Clause so that we can see all the magic about Santa. I'm excited. Wow. I just said that I am excited for something Christmas'y! I'd say the magic of the season has started to work its way back into my life. It's all thanks to my children. ( and not working retail at this time of the year anymore. )
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