Acting Like Buddy

Christmas is a busy, stressful, high-pressure time of year for many. It can also be exciting, relaxing and playful. One of my daughters gave me a great compliment, although I suspect it was not meant that way. She asked “Why do you act like Buddy?”

I, of course, responded with, “Buddy who?”

“The guy from Elf!”

Now that’s a compliment! Acting like Buddy means being carefree, funny, child-like in faith and a little psychotic and stupid. In my mind, those qualities aren’t too bad. Sometimes adults lose sight of what’s important. Most of the time it takes a child to remind us of what’s important. Make a point, this Christmas season to act like Buddy. You may want to stay away from jumping into your Christmas tree or adding sugar and sprinkles to your spaghetti. But singing loudly in the shower or playing on the escalators … Oh, that reminds me of a time when Delaney and Ashlyn were around 5 and 7 years old. We were in the mall one day – Dillard’s, I think. Shirley was looking at stuff and we were bored. Me and Boredom = goofy! We ran to the escalators and started riding them upstairs while goofing around. Once, at the top, we ran to the other side and rode down. After a few minutes, we were riding up and down as fast as we could; while standing on one leg, laying down, stretching our legs apart like Buddy. Needless to say, the employees at the make-up counter were fascinated by our new game. Most stopped and laughed. There were a couple who were not amused by our antics. The girls had no idea anyone was watching, much less unhappy with our fun. They just played up and down. Who knew escalators could be so entertaining?

This Christmas season, maybe we should all find a flight of escalators and not worry so much about what others think. Maybe we should relax and lighten up. Maybe we should act a little more like Buddy instead of his father.