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A Self-Created Holiday--Pajama Day
Author: Laurie Higgins
Don't underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can't hear, and not bothering.
~Pooh's Little Instruction Book, inspired by A.A. Milne
As wonderful as Christmas Day is, for me it takes second place to December 26th — otherwise known around our house as Pajama Day. It's a tradition that came into being entirely by accident about ten years ago during a particularly hectic holiday season.
That year, Christmas Eve found my hu*****and Steve and me staying up until close to dawn, wrapping presents and preparing for Christmas with our four kids. Just as our heads hit the pillow, the door to our two younger children's bedroom opened and we heard them sneak out. I took a nap to the sound of their excited whispers.
The next day, while Steve headed to work, I slept late and then curled up on the couch with the new novel he had given me for Christmas. The kids played quietly with their toys and it was a lovely day all around. When Steve came home, I was still in my pajamas. The day ended with me finishing the novel in front of a crackling fire. Afterwards I realized it was probably the best day I had had all year and declared it a new tradition--Pajama Day. It has grown ever since. Now, I build a big fire in the fireplace early in the day and pull out the bed in the sleeper sofa. Everyone brings his or her pillow and favorite blanket. We cuddle, snooze, watch movies, play games and read books. The beauty of a self-created holiday is you get to make all the rules. Over the years, the basic rules have stayed the same, but the cast has changed and the celebration has evolved.
Our two oldest daughters have grown and moved to cities near and far. Both come home for Christmas and our second daughter is now happy to spend the day relaxing with her family. Best of all, we now have a granddaughter who loves Pajama Day as much as I do. This past year, she pulled me aside on Christmas and whispered in my ear, "Can I sleep over at your house tonight so I can be here for Pajama Day?"
Of course the answer was yes, and the next morning while everyone else slept until long past noon, she and I pulled out the sleeper sofa and built the fire. We snuggled under the covers and I read to her from the mountain of picture books she piled next to us. Later in the day her teenage uncle showed her how to build a fort using the cast-off couch cushions. I set aside the novel I was reading to enjoy the sound of their laughter as the fort collapsed on their heads. As I got up to put another log on the fire, I realized there was nothing better than passing on my favorite tradition to the next generation. May she do the same...
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