The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us, don’t they? One minute we’re watching football and the next we’re juggling holiday shopping, school programs, and family dinners all at once! Somewhere in the midst of it all, we start thinking everything needs to be picture-perfect: the food, the gifts, the house. But life isn’t about being perfect. It’s about people. And people are messy, busy, tired, funny, and real, and that’s what makes the holidays worth remembering.
Perfectionism, especially this time of year, can wear us down. We redo the pie because the crust has cracked, or invest so much time searching for the perfect gift, but sometimes just being there is what truly matters. In small towns like ours, where everyone sees each other at the grocery store or online, it’s easy to feel like we have to prove we’ve got it all together. The truth? Nobody’s got it all together.
What people remember most isn’t the matching napkins or the straightened bows. They remember laughter that echoed down the hallway, kids running through the kitchen, and how the dog managed to sneak a roll off the counter. The imperfect moments, the real ones, are the ones that last.
This year, give yourself permission to simply accept things as they are. Let the table look a little mismatched. Let the kids help, even if they make a mess. Take time to actually sit down and breathe. And if this season feels hard, because it does for many, know that it’s okay to step back, rest, or reach out.
At Ashley Clinic, Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center, and Yates Center Dental, we witness firsthand the immense pressure people carry. However, we also see how small moments of grace can shift everything. When we stop pursuing perfection and start embracing the moment, there is more space for joy, gratitude, and connection.
So, here’s to burnt cookies, wrinkled tablecloths, and a little chaos mixed in with the comfort. Because in the end, the best gift we can give [and receive] is time with the people we love, just as we are.