It Happens

What is often forgotten is the most important thing to remember of all. People are more important than things. I know this in my heart, I believe it with everything inside me, and yet I get caught up in the disastrous blockbuster hit called Christmas year after year after year. Some one of these days, I'll get it right!

This year, I had a great reminder...the shattered lamp. Liam, the four-year old lampmaster, was rolling around at the end of our Christmas celebration, no doubt hyped up on the cookies and candies (Loves his Mike & Ikes...calls 'em jelly beans), when he knocked over the prized living room lamp. Everyone was all astir. I checked to see that his little paws were okay then got the broom and dustpan. No big deal. The lamp? Gone, of course, but who cares? I broke its partner two years ago in a similar way when I was compulsively vaccuuming and forgetting about the effect of cords on their attachments.

Last year, it was Grandpa and the red wine on the white rug...before that it was a broken coffee pot or something of the like. And what am I reminded of each time? It happens. When I was growing up, it happening would cause a sudden rampage, guilt and blame and then certain punishment for sure. My dad would remind me that he came from Ireland with five bucks in his pocket and that his children would one day learn to respect that. I didn't get it back then, but of course I do now. Still. Things are things.

One thing I know is that Liam learned his lesson (probably) when the crash of the lamp scared him half out of his wits. And as for the lamp? Well, my bro-in-law, says to send him the bill...and make it a $1500 lamp the likes of which his wife would want to buy! My sister-in-law, Trish, says go to Target, spend $20 and send him the bill for the $1500! (All tongue and cheek, of course.) They both make me laugh!

I'll do neither of the sort. I'm sure I'll replace that lamp eventually...or go green and light candles. But I'll definitely remember the fun we had that day...the food, the people, the stories and the funny reactions of the crowd. Our family has many more important things to think about. People are important, things are not. Christmas will come again...and all the things I chase after in stores? Well, they'll all break and let me down eventually. I love my family...the Lynch Tribe. No Murphys here this year...those crazy people from my tribe--and those are the losses that, in the end, are the hardest for me to overcome!