I love this story. :-D I know what you mean about chasing what Christmas is "supposed" to be. I think that's why so many people struggle with this time of year; it's been built into so solid a set of cultural requirements that it's easy to feel like you've somehow failed if you're not doing X, Y, and Z. I like Christmas well enough, but forced cheer is the quickest way to make me grumpy, lol... Organic cheer for the win, always. Thanks for writing!