Just In Time For the Holidays

Today I found myself feeling particularly frustrated with the U.S. Postal Service. I’d ordered some yarn eleven days ago, and the USPS had estimated the package would get to my mailbox in five days. It hasn’t arrived yet. In fact, I had to place a missing mail search request, and the USPS says they’re looking for the parcel. I don’t expect them to find it.

I know there are factors I’m not aware of, and I try to be patient and understanding. This is yarn I ordered for Christmas gifts I’m knitting, and I needed it this weekend to give me enough time to finish project four of four. I’m pushing it, I know, and it’s not the USPS’s responsibility to make up for time I’ve lost. But it is their responsibility to deliver my mail.

I’ve reconciled myself to the fact that my gifts won’t make it to my brother and his family in time for Christmas. It’s disappointing. I was excited to send these hand-knit presents, knowing that my family would appreciate them. I can still send them later, of course, but it won’t be the same.

I’ve written before about how difficult the holidays can be for me, and this was one way of coping–giving a special gift to people I love. Now, don’t get me wrong. I won’t fall into a deep state of despair. But I will be sad.

Still, I’m looking for the good in this situation. If I thought giving these gifts would help me cope, perhaps some other form of giving will help as well. I haven’t really formulated an idea about what that would be, but surely there is something I can do, even at this late date. For that matter, there are some things I am doing.

Some co-workers and I adopted a little girl from the local Angel Tree and have bought her toys and clothes. I’m excited about that. I’ve knit some hats for the Giving Tree at church, and those will go to families of kids at a local elementary school. Some of these families live in hotel rooms with no heat or worse yet, their cars, and struggle to make it through the winter. I’d like to think what I’ve done will help.

I need to focus on the good. I’ll make it through, no matter when I get my yarn (which I’ve reordered–ever the optimist). It hurts that my plans will be broken, but they won’t be shattered, and a year from now, who will know the difference?

Image Credits: Mailbox © Yurii–stock.adobe.com; Cat in Christmas Tree © Galina Pilina–stock.adobe.com