My son, James, doesn’t know it yet, but he is getting ice skates for Christmas. Both of his older siblings learned how to skate. So did I. My adoptive mom learned on a frozen pond. So it’s sort of a family thing.

My older son, Erick, wanted to play hockey. Unfortunately, there were two things against him: Our lack of finances, and his physical condition. He still bristles that I called him fragile, but he was. Developmental issues will do that. I remember when he was 4, his pre-K teacher brought me his jacket. It was one of those days that started cold and ended warm. She knew it was his jacket, because no one else in the class still wore 2T size clothes.

Thankfully, he has grown up healthier, but still has some physical issues. So no, I did not let him play hockey.

We took the whole family (me, my daughter and sons and my daughter’s boyfriend) skating at SteelStacks last Christmas. James had one of those things you hold onto that keeps you upright, and he refused to let it go.

So skates and lessons for Christmas. I just want James to be able to skate on his own. No other aspirations.

Aspirations are kind of hard to come by in our household at the moment, anyway. That’s OK.

Does single motherhood chafe sometimes? Absolutely, in a lot of ways. Still, we try to have fun anyway. Sometimes we even succeed. That reminds me, I need to start the Advent Calendar. Whatever your situation, try to enjoy the holidays.