There are days in December when I find myself wishing that I could magically transport myself into the world of the Hallmark Christmas movies. These movies are quite a viral cultural phenomenon these days. I’ve seen ads all over the internet for special movie watching socks. They say, (on one foot) “If you can read this (and on the other foot), leave me alone. I am watching Hallmark Christmas movies.” I think of the scene in Mary Poppins where Mary and Bert and the children jump into a chalk painting and wind up in an alternate universe, where they sing with talking animals and dance with penguins.  In my Hallmark Christmas land, anything even remotely connected to my holiday is marvelous. I never feel stressed. I never feel sad.

In Hallmark Christmas land, my hair is shiny and my cheeks are rosy and my house is warm, cozy, tastefully decorated, but never cluttered.  There is never any thought about the electric bill and how much does it cost to heat this place? There is a wreath on the front door and twinkling light outside. The Christmas tree (maybe I would even have two!) is decorated with cherished ornaments. I’m in the kitchen, happily baking Christmas cookies, and my teen son eagerly helps decorate them.  He even tells me that he would rather do that than play video games Continue Reading…