Christmas is for the young at heart. . .
. . . and I am nothing if not that.
I am 22-years-old and have never outgrown my love of Disney animated movies. And I enjoy the hundreds of figurines I've collected from said movies even more than the films themselves.
I don't get bored babysitting, because I like getting on the floor and playing with kids, and even like watching "The Wiggles."
And when I'm not babysitting I find myself too often turning to the Disney channel to watch one of their shows like "That's So Raven," "Phil of the Future," or even "Lizzie McGuire."
Last year at this time I was more stressed out than I had ever before been in my short life, which is saying a lot, because I've been working my butt off ever since going away for college. But in 2004 I was taking a full course load at UT and working 40 hours week babysitting and at a Montessori school.
It was my first and so far last job at a daycare (because ultimately that's all it was), and I was dealing for the first time with the heartache of the reality that too many kids are being raised by child care providers and not their own parents. And the other reality, that often this was a better life for them than what they could be getting at home.
Kids would come to school saying words their tender ears should never have heard, and telling us teachers about their mom's new boyfriend who yells at them. Their lives were heartbreaking, and I felt and carried their pain and sorrow in the deepest part of my being.
When Christmas season rolled around I began listening to Christmas music 24/7. One day while driving home from a particularily stressful day at work, I decided I'd try something new while listening to the holiday tunes. I rolled up the windows in my car, and instead of trying to sound as much like Mariah Carey as I could, I just began belting out the songs at the top of my lungs.
I was off-key, singing my heart out like I was 5-years-old again, and it was freeing. I felt like I was on top of the world, singing these songs like I didn't have a care in the world.
Doing this helped me get through this most trying time in my life, and it's a tradition I continue this Christmas season. Even though I'm no longer at the Montessori, beacuse I accepted the fact that it was too heavy of a burden to carry as a full-time college student, singing like I don't know how to sing is still a great way to forget about stress. So if you too are young at heart, then I suggest giving this a try.
I am 22-years-old and have never outgrown my love of Disney animated movies. And I enjoy the hundreds of figurines I've collected from said movies even more than the films themselves.
I don't get bored babysitting, because I like getting on the floor and playing with kids, and even like watching "The Wiggles."
And when I'm not babysitting I find myself too often turning to the Disney channel to watch one of their shows like "That's So Raven," "Phil of the Future," or even "Lizzie McGuire."
Last year at this time I was more stressed out than I had ever before been in my short life, which is saying a lot, because I've been working my butt off ever since going away for college. But in 2004 I was taking a full course load at UT and working 40 hours week babysitting and at a Montessori school.
It was my first and so far last job at a daycare (because ultimately that's all it was), and I was dealing for the first time with the heartache of the reality that too many kids are being raised by child care providers and not their own parents. And the other reality, that often this was a better life for them than what they could be getting at home.
Kids would come to school saying words their tender ears should never have heard, and telling us teachers about their mom's new boyfriend who yells at them. Their lives were heartbreaking, and I felt and carried their pain and sorrow in the deepest part of my being.
When Christmas season rolled around I began listening to Christmas music 24/7. One day while driving home from a particularily stressful day at work, I decided I'd try something new while listening to the holiday tunes. I rolled up the windows in my car, and instead of trying to sound as much like Mariah Carey as I could, I just began belting out the songs at the top of my lungs.
I was off-key, singing my heart out like I was 5-years-old again, and it was freeing. I felt like I was on top of the world, singing these songs like I didn't have a care in the world.
Doing this helped me get through this most trying time in my life, and it's a tradition I continue this Christmas season. Even though I'm no longer at the Montessori, beacuse I accepted the fact that it was too heavy of a burden to carry as a full-time college student, singing like I don't know how to sing is still a great way to forget about stress. So if you too are young at heart, then I suggest giving this a try.
SHARE THIS: Facebook | Stumble It! | Del.icio.us | DiggIt! | Technorati
2 Comments:
That is beautiful, Texas. We all love your child-at-heartness! And you're probably the only person I know who derives similar pleasure from watching "The Wiggles" and "Six Feet Under" :) That's such an interesting picture of who you are, though -- young heart, old soul.
It makes me sad to hear what a hard time you were having this time last year. And I know things aren't ideal right now, either. But isn't it wonderful that we have on another? XOXO
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
For those who are blonde and seeking clarification, our resident Texas lover elaborated:
The trick is to sing loudly and without consideration--like a self-confident child. If you like, she can demonstrate.
Once she does you will want to try it for yourself. Beware: you might feel "free."
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Post a Comment
<< Home