It seems like everywhere I go I meet people that are just looking for a little more excitement in their lives–they’re bored with the mundane of the same ole, same ole. Last week I wrote about wanting to be more excited about Christmas–to enjoy the anticipation rather than dreading all the tasks to be done. Getting excited about stuff is all fine and good, but I found out that there is such a thing as getting too excited. And it is NOT a good thing.
I’ve told you about how my youngest son, Grayson, knows how to enjoy just about anything–that’s just the way he is. But this year I noticed something a little different in his normal happiness and enjoyment of Christmas. From the time December 1st hit–he was counting down the days. Each day began with him doing the count and his exasperation that there was still SUCH a long time to wait. The waiting was excruciating and my normally sweet little boy started acting monstrous and obnoxious.
It all came to a head the night before Christmas. We went to a traditional Christmas Eve service and throughout the entire hour he kept loud whispering “How much longer?!” and then “UGH!” and would roll his eyes when I would tell him it would be just a little longer. Now, it’s not unusual for my boys to be a little impatient during a grown up church service, but it was very unusual for him to be so consistently rude and obnoxious. When we got home, he complained about having to eat dinner–he was ready to open our night before Christmas gifts and get this show on the road. He tore through the wrapping and seemed to not even appreciate the new Flash jammies and new Star Wars book we gave him to enjoy. To him it was just one last obstacle to overcome before the big moment of Christmas morning. “When is tomorrow going to be here?!” he demanded.
Most of the time my boys will stay awake talking long after we have put them to bed, but Grayson was determined to go to sleep as quickly as he could. Everyone knows Santa doesn’t come until you fall asleep. Super Rockstar and I stayed up for a while–making sure all was quiet before we laid all the gifts under the tree. As we checked on the boys before we headed to bed–we found our oldest son, Morgan, soundly sleeping and then there was Grayson. He was wide awake. He whispered how he couldn’t go to sleep and again wanted to know how much longer he had to wait until it was morning. Hoo boy!
I knew then and there–it was going to be a long night. An hour after we had fallen asleep–we heard their door open–Grayson needing to go to the bathroom. He STILL couldn’t go to sleep. Two hours later–he slipped silently into our room and stood there staring at Super Rockstar, startling him out of a sound sleep. We both grouchily admonished him to “Just go to sleep!” That’s when he broke down. His lip started to quiver and we noticed his whole body shaking. “I just can’t do it, Daddy! I want to, but I just can’t go to sleep!” My heart just broke for him as he stood there sobbing and looking so helpless. He literally was so excited that he couldn’t sleep.
So, my husband–being the great Daddy that he always is–took his young, overexcited son by the hand, led him back to his shared room with his brother, and laid down with him for well over an hour until he finally fell asleep.
Yes, my friends, there is such a thing as too much excitement. I take back my words from last week that I wanted to be so excited that I can’t sleep. After watching my son suffer from this phenomenon and seeing the anguish of being so excited with anticipation that he couldn’t even enjoy a thing–no thank you. I realize that as with everything else–there must be balance.
With that in mind–as we wind down this year and finally settle down from all of the manic euphoria–I’m hoping that the new year will be filled with balance. Just like in Star Wars–there is always a striving for a balance of the force between good and evil. That’s what I desire for myself and my family–a little excitement; yes. But, mostly to have a nice middle of the road–that would be nice.
Have a Happy New Year everyone!
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26