My dishwasher's possessed

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It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

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In just a few short days, a war’s going to break out in my otherwise (somewhat) peaceful household. November 1 starts the annual “War of the Christmas Music.”

Each year, it’s me against my husband Joe and the three little darlings that I brought into this world, I should add after a collective 36 hours of labor and three C-sections.

This year, I’m taking a proactive stand. I’m taking my case to the people (or at least the few wonderful souls who take time out of their day to read my blog).

Mommy wants to listen to “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas” without the groans and moans from the back seat of the minivan. I would like to enjoy all 55 versions from 55 different artists of, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” without hearing Joe call me a “Lame-o.”

I’m listing 10 reasons why my family shouldn’t give me a hard time listening to the holiday music that gives me such joy:

 

  1. I don’t play the, I-carried-each-of-you-for-9-(actually 10)-extremely-long-months- card very often, but this year I will. Remember that without me, three of you would not be here on this earth, and one of you would not be a father. I think that deserves a few Fa-la-la-las for a few weeks.
  2. Contrary to what a certain teenager claims, listening to large amounts of holiday music won’t cause permanent damage to anyone’s psyche or cause anyone to turn to a life of crime.
  3. Hearing “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” puts me in a much more peaceful mood and makes my head less likely to explode when a certain nine-year-old asks me fifty-five times if we could have mushrooms, then asks another fifty-five times if the mushrooms are ready, then looks at them and with a straight face tells me he doesn’t like mushrooms.
  4. If I could listen to Elmo singing the alphabet, Steve from Blues Clues sing, “We just got a letter,” and Dora the Explorer singing her Backpack song  for the rough equivalent of two full years of my life, surely you can listen to Karen Carpenter sing, “Merry Christmas Darling,” for a few weeks without bursting into tears.
  5. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Bruce Springsteen have done Christmas songs. If it’s good enough for them, surely it’s good enough for us.
  6. There comes a time every Christmas when Santa needs some extra elves to help with all the seasonal preparations. Who do you think he’s going to ask for help? Yes, you are right, me! Happy elves spread holiday cheer, and nothing brings more cheer than a few choruses of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
  7. What holiday season is complete without hearing, “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,” at least a few times?
  8. There really was a part in our wedding vows that said, in sickness, health, and listening to holiday music every year. I’m not sure why you don’t remember that? Weren’t you paying attention on the most important day of your life? Don’t you love me enough to remember the vow you made to me 21 years ago in front of our family, friends and God? DOESN’T OUR MARRIAGE MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU?
  9. When Mom is happy, everyone is happy. When Mom is not happy, well you know what happens.
  10. Some of my most precious holiday memories are of nursing a two-week-old Tom, or trying to decorate the Christmas tree while nine months pregnant and holding the hand of a three-year-old, or watching three of the sweetest children squeal with delight over what Santa has brought them snuggled on the couch with the one I love, all with the sounds of the season playing in the background.

Truth be told, there is something that just warms my heart every time I hear a Christmas song.  They trigger all the best memories of holidays past.  And, if that doesn’t move you, remember your survival sort of depends on, well me.

 

This piece was originally published on the Dishwasher, October 27, 2013, under the title, It’s Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas. It has been slightly edited. 

 

Comments

  1. Janine Huldie says

    Number 5 is reason enough fro me, but then again I am with you on your love of Christmas music and truly didn’t have to twist my arm. So, if we were driving somewhere together, I would totally tell you to crank up the Christmas music 🙂
    Janine Huldie recently posted…My Extraordinary Kid(s)My Profile

  2. Joy says

    I have lots of fun and feel warm inside every time I read this, Kathy. #8 is hilarious and I agree with you. Listening to Christmas songs, regardless of time of year, puts Mama in a great mood and really just calms me down and makes me happy. I love ‘Have a Holly Jolly Christmas’ cos it reminds me of a 3yr-old Noah dancing and jumping to it like a happy, cute elf! And I could never tire of “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”…all 1000 versions of it! ;-))

  4. Jessica says

    I may or may not keep two or three holiday albums on my playlist all year long. So, I am totally with you. I was stressed out the other day and all of sudden, “Silent Night” came on. Instant peace! #9, for sure!
    Jessica recently posted…A Day (and Night) at the ZooMy Profile

  8. Lisa Weinstein says

    Kathy – I think your most convincing arguement is defintely #9!! lol!
    Enjoy the holidays!!
    All the best,
    Lisa
    PS – my favorite Christmas song is Christmas Wrapping by the Waitresses

  10. Meredith says

    I AM WITH YOU!!! Wanna come over after Trick or Treat on Halloween night and catch a Hallmark Christmas movie with me? 🙂 (yes, they start this year 10/31!)
    Meredith recently posted…JumpingMy Profile

  13. Allie SMith says

    Kathy, I love Christmas music, too – but I usually wait until Thanksgiving, and I don’t know why. Could be I don’t want to get sick of it – or it could be that I’m afraid to the inevitable moans and groans of loved one!
    Allie SMith recently posted…Halloween Over the YearsMy Profile

    • Kathy Radigan says

      Waiting till Thanksgiving is a good compromise, but I will be enjoying my Sounds of the Season when they come on November 3rd!!! Lol! Thanks so much for coming on by! 🙂

  14. DEANNA says

    I love Christmas music too. Luckily, I don’t have to fight anyone to listen to it. You do need to throw around that you carried and birthed those children, and they will forever be in debt to you. I always like to remind my son where his first home was while pointing to my gut.

Much thanks to Joseph Radigan, who besides being a great husband and father, also uses his talents to gently and ever so tactfully edit my blog. Joe is a business editor at Thomson Reuters in NY.
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