White wine in the sun

Darling,

When Christmas comes, we'll be waiting for you in the sun...

I know it has been a terribly long time since I've written to you, Moo. You'll find that happens with Mama. She has wonderful intentions but sometimes lacks the motivation to complete something. Like take 20 minutes to blog. I do get better, then fall back and better again. You'll see.

It is your Dad, Penn Jillette, and Tim Minchin to thank for this update. I wanted to update sooner as you've been having there terrible three year old temper tantrums and I wanted to remind you I love you in spite them but I couldn't find the words.

Three days before Christmas, "White wine in the sun" on repeat, and I've found words. Daddy and I have been discussing a lot of things lately. The best ways to make sure you know you are safe, loved, protected, well-disciplined and gently handled. We are parents of a three year for the first time. You are three years old for the first time. We are all learning together. Daddy and I make mistakes, we disagree on the best way to do things sometimes but we always agree in the end. The end is always the same. We want you to be the best Maddox Danger you can be.

One of the discussions we have had a lot is how to explain Christmas to you. For Christians, this is a very religious holiday. Just as Hanukkah is a very religious Jewish holiday. We are atheists and we will not have you indoctrinated into anything. Not until you decide otherwise.

We talk for hours about how to turn Christmas into a secular holiday for you. Some of my most favorite memories are from Christmas. Loved, cherished, tangible memories.  The bliss of family, baking cookies, gifts under the tree…I want you to have these memories. I want you to be filled to the brim with love and happiness when you smell pine, firewood and warm sugar cookies just out of the oven. I want you to think Santa is jolly and kind. I want you to remember back to your childhood and have Christmas stand out as one of those moments that you cannot wait to relive year after year.

How do we do that? How do we stick to our morals and allow you the same cherished memories we have? We don't want to take Hanukkah from those whom have it as a religious holiday, nor Christmas. We don't want you to praise an imaginary friend. We don't celebrate Ramadan, Rosh Hashanah; why Christmas? Can we respectfully celebrate a religious holiday we are morally against? We don't know. We have no idea.

That's a scary thing to say out loud but Mama and Daddy won't have all the answers all the time. Sometimes, we will just need to follow our hearts and do what we think is best. And what's best to us, is even though you won't understand, you'll learn someday, that to us, your family is the reason to enjoy this holiday. We will always be together for this day. Whether you are near or far, we will be here for you. "Drinking white wine in the sun."

"I really like Christmas. It's sentimental, I know…"

I love you,
Mama