Sleigh bells ring. Are you listening? I haven’t caught mom listening to Christmas music in a while, but occasionally I hear the sleigh bells ringing anyway. I close my eyes and I can smell freshly baked pumpkin pie (which I do occasionally get to sample). I can hear Christmas carols. I can see everyone gathering around the Christmas tree to open presents. The smiles each of these things ignite are presents in themselves.
My eyes were opened to it today when my forever mom and dad and I were playing one of my favorite games. Simply put, its a game of give and take. Its one of very few things I remember learning from my birth mom before I got separated from her. I was instructed to give an object to one of my brothers, they were instructed to give it back to me, and then I could play. It was like I was getting permission to take whatever object it was I wanted. And ultimately, I gave to receive.
To this day, I give Mrs. Prickles and all my other toys to mom and she gives it back to me and at that point I nurse on it, lay on it, or (only every once in a while) rip it to shreds. It is a habit that I don’t see changing any time soon, because I think the action itself is sound. Employing the balance of give and take is not such a bad thing, after all. But as my thoughts drifted back to the true joy of Christmas, I realized the logic behind the behavior is completely backward. I give to receive? I don’t think so.
That’s not what the joy of Christmas is all about. That’s not what I am all about. Sleigh bells ring, and I’m listening. I’m craving pumpkin pie, Christmas carols and family time.
It was almost seven months ago when mom didn’t want to take down the Christmas tree when dad said it. You can’t put Christmas away. I vowed that day not to put Christmas away, but instead to live and breathe the joy that is Christmas all year long. To love actively. And to make time to share joy and love with whomever will take it in hopes that my words might inspire someone else to do the same. I don’t know how I’ve fared with these goals other than that I do continue to feel the spirit of Christmas living in me each day this year. It’s true. You can’t put Christmas away.
To go back and read more about my goals for 2013: http://wileyschmidt.com/2012/12/31/you-cant-put-christmas-away-goals-for-2013/
To read about when I caught my silly mom listening to Christmas music in June: http://wileyschmidt.com/2013/06/01/joy-to-the-world/comment-page-1/
Wiley's Wisdom 
Wiley, I saw something today and posted it, thinking of you…. You can go direct to it, if you like, and your buds here: “So God Made a Dog…” Best ~ HuntMode – P.S. Happy Merry Christmas, you dog!
Well, shoot, Wyles! I couldn’t get it to do that on my site! Dog gone it! Must be the magic of posting on a dog’s site – God is working overtime for you, Wyles!
I saw this magically is up and working on your site now. Aaaaaand this kind of made my day. So there’s that. 🙂
Lovely! 🙂 I adore the idea of Christmas everyday! 😀
Me too! A very Merry Christmas to you today! 🙂
And a Merry Christmas to you, as well! 😀
Christmas SHOULD be all year round. The tree isn’t necessary. The joy and giving are all we need.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Perfectly stated as always dear Cupcake!
I would like the idea, Wiley. Christmas is not only just a day for gifts – it’s a day for open hearts – and why our hearts shouldn’t be always open? …I just imagine the christmas bell while we have 89° hahaha
You’re right about it being hard to picture silver bells when it’s so hot out! More than that about the importance of open hearts. Shine on dear friend!
Wiley…your mom and I would get along perfectly…I LOVE Christmas, especially Christmas music…It makes me so happy!!!! I enjoy getting on Pandora and imbibing anytime!!!! I sure wish you were my neighbor…I would never move…You inspire me every time I see your face…You have such a pure heart and today when you find one, you have to keep it and hold onto it forever…God sure made a miracle when he made you!!!! Thank you for all you do to share His love…we ALL need it!!!! -Hugs my friend!!!!
Trev!!! That thing they say about great minds thinking alike….well you proved it again today. I too wish I could be neighbors with all of my fantastic friends in blogville. Truly. Just as you say I inspire you, your words like this inspire me. Thank you for being such a kind soul and for sharing your love with me. Your love makes the world a brighter place, as you are a miracle of joy as well. Keep shining brightly, dear friend!
I am thankful for you…God bless you and yours dear one!!!! -Hugs
Same to you! Hugsssss!
Reblogged this on Wiley's Wisdom and commented:
I like the idea of keeping the holiday spirit alive all year long.