A Christmas by process of elimination

It's Christmas morning. Some years, this holiday is bursting with energy and excitement; others not so much. This year is best described not by what will happen, but what will be left over after pointing out everything that won't. Not that that's a bad thing; there's still plenty to feel blessed for on a day like today.

We won't be going anywhere. Unlike the rest of the world, practically everything in San Antonio is closed. Christmas is still sacred here, so if you want to be entertained, it's going to have to happen at someone's house. This also means that I won't be working today, which is more than I can say for the Christmases past spent as a waitress in the bar scene--nothing is sacred in the bar world, and Christmas is no exception.

No one will be coming here...that is, unless our friend and massage therapist and her partner decide to bail on their get-together with the partner's bigoted family and seek refuge here. I don't see that happening, but you never know - it's a big enough possibility that the explicit offer was made.

It won't be a white Christmas. Not even after yesterday's cold rain did it even come close to freezing and snowing. Today is sunny and while we have our fair share of sunny-yet-chilly winter days in South Texas, sun and snow are not seen together.

We probably won't exchange any gifts today. With my lack of online-shopping savvy and my parents 1100 miles away, we decided to put presents off until we can all celebrate together when they return.

I'm not delving into any politics or personal rants today. Even Constitutional Patriotism and conspiracy theory need a day off. I'm keeping it light.

We most likely won't be doing anything involving church today. We find that spirituality and holiday celebrations hold much more meaning when practiced at home among loved ones. Sure there's something to be said for candlelight, incense, singing, praying, and shaking hands with the good-natured strangers around you, but we're feeling very low-key and individual this year and we'd rather celebrate quietly in our own way this year.

We won't be recovering from Finals Week today. Now that we've been out of school nearly a year now, scholastically-induced anxiety (be it studying OR test-taking) has finally drained out of our systems.

Well, that about does it. No working, traveling, shopping, or big get-togethers. Wow, we sound like a barrel of fun. But really, it's more peaceful and simple than that. Today, we're just existing, experiencing our many blessings in an immaterial way, appreciating each other for the sake of just that, and being thankful for what we already have, rather than anticipating the accumulation of more. (That will happen a little while later.) For today, it's all about the message, the vibe, the spirit, and the simplicity. It may not be earth-shatteringly memorable, but at least it won't be stand out for the wrong reasons either.