“The pleasure isn’t in doing the thing, the pleasure is in planning it.” ― John Green, Paper Towns
I love Advent. It’s my favorite time of the year. It’s not only a time that is filled with the delicious smell of cookies, crisp air, and lots of song, but it’s also a time of anticipation. And even though many people don’t especially like to wait for whatever big event is coming (I mean, Christmas is certainly big), I enjoy it. Marvel in it. I’m filled with wonder.
My daughters’ birthdays are in September. Pixie’s big day is in the middle and Moxie’s at the end. It can be hard to wait two more weeks than little sis’. So while I’m explaining to my older daughter that her birthday is coming soon, I wonder if she will at some point be happy about the fact that she gets to wait a little longer. When I share this thought with my dear husband, he gives me a look that reads somewhat like this. ”Woman, I love you dearly, but sometimes I cannot follow your thought process at all.”
So I’m not surprised when most of you are shaking their heads in disbelief right now. But for me, the thought of having something great yet to come is almost more satisfying than to have it, hold on to it for just a tiny second, and to finally face the sobering truth that the wonder-filled buildup and the (hopefully) magical event are gone.
Wow, I hear some of you saying. That’s not very cheerful. But to the contrary, to me, it is. Instead of having a one day celebration, I might have four weeks. The key is, of course, that the time of waiting needs to be filled with something. Advent is filled with baking, crafting, singing, and (sigh) cleaning. Waiting for a birthday can be filled with making lists or photo albums about what has happened during the last year, or looking forward and figuring out what is going to happen once one is four years old (or 29, over and over again). Just like we are often grateful to have more time to prepare for an exam or interview, we can look at the less stressful events the same way. Or, like Andy Warhol put it, “The idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting”.
And so, to go back to my older daughter, I hope that she will cherish the fact, one day in her future, that she can enjoy the anticipation just a little bit longer. And for all of you who think like my husband, I hope that you fully embrace the time of waiting. Because the best thing about the magic of anticipation is the fact, that there is always something to look forward to.
Franziska Macur is a mom; a wife; a professional gone home; a sewer; a crafter; a cook; a baker; and a life-long-learner. Passionate about simplicity, family rhythm; and a natural and healthy lifestyle. You can read more from Franziska at her blog, http://homenaturally.org/