Dear Mom,
I find myself reflecting on your incredible strength as a single mother during the holiday season, particularly with six children. As I sit here on December 11, I’m already feeling worn out just thinking about all the tasks that lay ahead.
You often tell me, “I don’t know how you handle it these days,” but honestly, you managed an entire baseball team of kids while juggling work and creating a magical Christmas every year, all without the conveniences of the internet. It’s truly astonishing.
Just last night, while I was organizing my own holiday to-do list, it hit me how you transformed into a superhero each December. Let’s break it down:
December 1
Me: I have my two kids write their letters to Santa. The next day, I tackle some writing assignments from home, do a bit of online shopping, and take a quick trip to Target for essentials. Despite interruptions from school and dance class, I feel pretty accomplished since I’ve almost finished my shopping.
You: You take six Christmas lists—four for girls and two for boys—each with different interests. After dropping us off at two schools, you head to your 9-5 job. Lunchtime sees you rush to the mall for a quick shopping sprint before returning to work. After hours of carting us to soccer and football practices, you whip up a hearty meal for all of us, then stay up late hiding presents, knowing we’ll tear the house apart looking for them.
December 15
Me: By now, we’ve made a quick trip to grab a modest Christmas tree, and we have a quiet evening at home, sipping hot cocoa while trimming the tree. With most of my shopping done, I can focus on gifts for friends and teachers.
You: You skip the gifts for friends and teachers because who has the time or funds? You take us to a local Christmas tree lot, trying to find a tree we can all agree on. You stay up late at night wrapping gifts, trying to keep track of who gets what and making sure everything is fair.
Somehow, you also find time to bake Christmas cookies with us, all while managing our bickering over who gets to use the silver candy sprinkles. Amid the chaos, I can still hear John Denver and Andy Williams playing in the background, with you singing along, oblivious to the fact that you have a mountain of holiday tasks ahead.
December 24
Me: I’m looking forward to a relaxing Christmas Eve dinner at our favorite restaurant. After indulging, we’ll drive around to look at Christmas lights before settling in to prepare cookies and milk for Santa.
You: While we enjoy a day with Dad, you’re in the kitchen preparing a big family meal. After realizing you’ve forgotten a few last-minute items, you dash to the store. You then spend hours getting us all to bed before staying up late, shuffling gifts from hiding spots to under the tree, all while listening for any noise coming from our rooms.
Yet, by Christmas morning, you pull it off, creating a personalized experience for each of us and showering us with love and gifts—more than we deserve. You manage to convey the true spirit of the season, all while carrying the burden of loneliness during years when you spend the day without us.
You might downplay your efforts, saying, “I just did what I had to do,” but I see the immense strength and love you poured into those holidays. As I navigate my own responsibilities in the coming weeks, I’ll remember to cherish those warm moments and to approach them with the same joy and love that you showed us.
Merry Christmas, Mom!