Jeebus, E - I don't know how you do it. I know why you do but not how.
I have two kids whose childhoods were routine, predictable and medically uneventful. I felt so blessed! Now in their 20s, life has changed dramatically, with one having MH issues, as a result of a violent assault at high school, that are so severe it keeps them on the very edge of being here and letting go; while the other has endo, recently-discovered bi-polar and resulting MH issues. Both require all the tiger mother love I possess, and then some.
All we can do is be trustworthy, constant, present, loving, fierce, and kind.
I’m sitting outside. I just had my coffee and opened your Christmas essay. As I read I started to cry. I’m still crying.
Sometimes we do need a touch of magic in our lives. I never felt deprived when I learned at 6, from my sister, about Santa.My parents did a good job helping me to understand the spirit of giving and the magic of Christmas. I did not tell my brother, who was 5 years younger. I guess his friends have the game away.
Do I feel your essay. I hope you and your whanau have a happy and healthy Christmas and summer. I did send you a little Xmas pressie. I hope it appeared in your account.
😭😭😭😭 my kid said to me this year "I don't think Santa is real because if he was he would have updated his outfit by now, and alsovhe didn't answer me when I asked him what HE wanted for Christmas so he was clearly unprepared'' and I hope he knows I will be taking him to get a book from the mall Santa for the next 20 years anyway because I need that magic to keep going
I’ve been struggling with whether and how to “do” Santa with our little one (too little to care this year anyway) and this is a beautiful contribution to my thought process. I hope we are in less need of magic than you and your family, but everyone needs some occasionally!
Hope you have a restful break and everyone stays well ❤️
I believe that St Nicolas existed. I believe that love is a gift given freely and sometimes in secret. I believe because frankly I have someone to yell at that is not my husband or kids. So I don't lie to my kids. But I also am upfront about Father Christmas not delivering Ponies or Puppies or <insert want here>.
Oh Emily you make me cry. I'm reading this at my sons graduation from intermediate school, which I felt guilted into attending because it veers between interminable speeches & embarrassing tears over how cute the kids are. I'm so tired of clapping for other children at prize-givings. I'm actually standing outside the school hall because they underestimated the number of parents & whānau who'd come so it is standing room only covid central in there with very few masks. Anyhow, I blame you for me earnestly trying to be a better mother by just being here. And now you're making me cry too..
You better not read this until after your holiday which you so badly deserve. Thank you for sharing. Arohanui. Love from a random fan
As completely valid and honest as it was back then - probably more so given the mess that you and many of the rest of us have endured since you wrote that. Yes, we all need some kindly myths from time to time, and as far as I know most people aren't greatly traumatized by eventually finding out that Santa is one of them. I hope your 2023 is as calm and as kind as possible. Thank you for your writing.
"Give me a jolly old man who won’t call me a cunt online. "
🙌🙌🙌
Jeebus, E - I don't know how you do it. I know why you do but not how.
I have two kids whose childhoods were routine, predictable and medically uneventful. I felt so blessed! Now in their 20s, life has changed dramatically, with one having MH issues, as a result of a violent assault at high school, that are so severe it keeps them on the very edge of being here and letting go; while the other has endo, recently-discovered bi-polar and resulting MH issues. Both require all the tiger mother love I possess, and then some.
All we can do is be trustworthy, constant, present, loving, fierce, and kind.
Ahakoa he iti, he pounamu 💚
Fuck Emily. Your writing devastates me. Have a wonderful break and enjoy your well earned rest ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I’m sitting outside. I just had my coffee and opened your Christmas essay. As I read I started to cry. I’m still crying.
Sometimes we do need a touch of magic in our lives. I never felt deprived when I learned at 6, from my sister, about Santa.My parents did a good job helping me to understand the spirit of giving and the magic of Christmas. I did not tell my brother, who was 5 years younger. I guess his friends have the game away.
Do I feel your essay. I hope you and your whanau have a happy and healthy Christmas and summer. I did send you a little Xmas pressie. I hope it appeared in your account.
In appreciation
Bonnie
As beautiful & meaningful now as it was then ♥️ Have a wonderful well-deserved break & a glorious Christmas.
Absolutely floored by this piece of writing. Felt all the emotion pouring out! Santa would never call you a cunt 😇💫🥰
Sitting here day 1 COVID hoping I don't give it to my wee girls for Christmas. This made me cry. Thank you always for your writing Emily.
Aw stoppit Emily, my eyes are leaking
😭😭😭😭 my kid said to me this year "I don't think Santa is real because if he was he would have updated his outfit by now, and alsovhe didn't answer me when I asked him what HE wanted for Christmas so he was clearly unprepared'' and I hope he knows I will be taking him to get a book from the mall Santa for the next 20 years anyway because I need that magic to keep going
Oh Emily, sending you so much love. I hope he feels much better, really soon. May you all have a peaceful, hopeful, holiday full of joy and wonder.
I’ve been struggling with whether and how to “do” Santa with our little one (too little to care this year anyway) and this is a beautiful contribution to my thought process. I hope we are in less need of magic than you and your family, but everyone needs some occasionally!
Hope you have a restful break and everyone stays well ❤️
Emily, you are truly amazing. Thank you for sharing your beautiful writing.
I believe that St Nicolas existed. I believe that love is a gift given freely and sometimes in secret. I believe because frankly I have someone to yell at that is not my husband or kids. So I don't lie to my kids. But I also am upfront about Father Christmas not delivering Ponies or Puppies or <insert want here>.
Oh Emily you make me cry. I'm reading this at my sons graduation from intermediate school, which I felt guilted into attending because it veers between interminable speeches & embarrassing tears over how cute the kids are. I'm so tired of clapping for other children at prize-givings. I'm actually standing outside the school hall because they underestimated the number of parents & whānau who'd come so it is standing room only covid central in there with very few masks. Anyhow, I blame you for me earnestly trying to be a better mother by just being here. And now you're making me cry too..
You better not read this until after your holiday which you so badly deserve. Thank you for sharing. Arohanui. Love from a random fan
Merry Christmas Emily and readers. As always it is a pleasure to read your words.
Enjoy a break and look forward to hearing your thoughts 2023!
As completely valid and honest as it was back then - probably more so given the mess that you and many of the rest of us have endured since you wrote that. Yes, we all need some kindly myths from time to time, and as far as I know most people aren't greatly traumatized by eventually finding out that Santa is one of them. I hope your 2023 is as calm and as kind as possible. Thank you for your writing.