Dear Mom,
As I navigate the holiday season with just my two children, I find myself utterly exhausted by December 11. I can’t even begin to fathom how you managed to juggle Christmas as a single mother of six. Your strength and resilience were truly something out of a superhero movie.
You often say, “I don’t know how you manage it these days,” but let’s be real: you had a whole baseball team to take care of! Balancing a full-time job, raising six kids, and creating a magical Christmas atmosphere year after year—without the luxury of online shopping—seems almost impossible.
Last night, as I lay awake organizing my own holiday to-do list, it hit me just how incredible you were each December. Here’s how I see it:
December 1
Me: I ask my two kids to write their letters to Santa. I manage to squeeze in some writing assignments and do a bit of online shopping while juggling homework and dance classes. My husband helps out with the last few items I need to track down, and I can mostly relax, waiting for packages to arrive.
You: You took six separate Christmas lists—each with their own unique wishes—and piled us into your well-loved, slightly worn-out VW Rabbit. After dropping us off at two different schools, you rushed to your 9-5 job. At lunch, you sprinted through the mall, then returned to work, before a whirlwind of practices and dinner preparation awaited you. And somehow, you managed to sneak in late-night gift wrapping, hiding them in our already cramped house.
December 15
Me: By now, we’ve picked up a modest Christmas tree and are enjoying a quiet evening decorating it while sipping cocoa. With most of my shopping done, I’m focusing on gifts for friends and teachers.
You: You forgo the friend and teacher gifts entirely—who has the time? You wrangled us six kids to pick the perfect tree, and then decorated it without breaking half our family heirlooms. You stayed up late wrapping gifts and baking cookies, all the while listening to holiday tunes and trying to keep us from bickering about the big silver ball candy sprinkles!
December 24
Me: We’ve made a reservation for Christmas Eve dinner because, honestly, I’m just too tired to cook. I look forward to our tradition of driving around to see the lights, followed by setting out cookies for Santa and relaxing by the fire with a movie.
You: You spent all day cooking a feast for the family, dashing back to the store for last-minute essentials, and making sure six kids were tucked in bed. Then you stayed up half the night, ensuring everything was ready for Christmas morning, even as you heard the faintest sounds of excitement from the rooms down the hall.
Somehow, you always managed to pull it off—personalizing the holiday for each of us and creating memories that last a lifetime, all while maintaining a smile despite the exhaustion. You often downplay the challenges, saying, “You did what you had to do,” but I want you to know that your efforts did not go unnoticed.
As I rush through the next few weeks, I will keep your spirit alive in my own celebrations, filling them with love, warmth, and appreciation for the magic you worked so hard to create. If you’re curious about how to make this kind of magic happen in your own life, you might find valuable insights in resources like March of Dimes.
Merry Christmas, Mom!