The holiday stress in my head this week is a like a giant red and green wheel spinning constantly and gaining speed. Have I found the perfect prime rib recipe? Are all the presents purchased, and is one kid going to need therapy one day because the other has more boxes? Are two pies enough to feed nine people? And dear lord, my quest for the perfect centerpiece is killing me.

Every year, I try to take things down a notch, to do less, embrace the simpler things, and not cave to the seasonal pressure, but no matter how many deep breaths I take, or lectures I give myself on the real meaning of the season, I still find myself and those around me frazzled. This video from the kids at St. Jude's Hospital is a pretty powerful de-frazzler.

It made me pause like nothing else to think of these kids and their families and the fights they're fighting. How different their holidays will be with an often deadly diagnosis, how none of the festive frenzy -- no matter how well-intended is really that important. Their innocent and jubilant faces remind me how fortunate we are each and every day that we have our children with us, that we have our health, and that stressing over the perfect meal is really ridiculous.

It's not that we should scrap our holiday traditions, because they're important, and a lot of the hustle and bustle results from good causes -- caring and sharing and making memories.  But it shouldn't consume and exhaust us as it often does; it should delight us.

I watch this video and I think of my dear friend who lost her son to cancer, and I think of a  young girl at my son's school who was just diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. I think of how the kids in the video could be any of our children at any time. And suddenly my  to-do list is a lot less intimidating, because really if something doesn't get done, it's just not that big of a deal. And who really needs a centerpiece anyway.

Did this video move you?

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I then sat in my car and I cried while sitting in the Walgreens parking lot. I could not compose myself.  Then still looking at my phone came across and felt like I needed to post this for the Mommies missing their child this year :::

THIS POEM WAS WRITTEN BY A 13-YEAR-OLD BOY, 
WHO BATTLED A BRAIN TUMOR FOR FOUR YEARS. 
HE DIED December 14, 1997, AND GAVE THIS POEM TO HIS MOTHER, 
JUST BEFORE HE DIED ....

For I am spending Christmas ...

THE SIGHT IS SO SPECTACULAR,
PLEASE WIPE AWAY THE TEAR, 
FOR I AM SPENDING CHRISTMAS 
WITH JESUS CHRIST THIS YEAR.

I HEAR THE MANY CHRISTMAS SONGS 
THAT PEOPLE HOLD SO DEAR,
BUT SOUNDS OF MUSIC CAN'T COMPARE
WITH THE CHRISTMAS CHOIR UP HERE. 

I HAVE NO WORDS TO TELL YOU, 
THE JOY THEIR VOICES BRING,
FOR IT IS BEYOND DESCRIPTION, 
TO HEAR THE ANGELS SING. 

I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU MISS ME,
I SEE THE PAIN IN YOUR HEART,
BUT I AM NOT SO FAR AWAY, 
WE REALLY AREN'T APART. 

SO BE HAPPY FOR ME, DEAR ONES, 
YOU KNOW I HOLD YOU DEAR.
AND BE GLAD I AM SPENDING CHRISTMAS 
WITH JESUS CHRIST THIS YEAR. 

I SENT YOU EACH A SPECIAL GIFT, 
FROM MY HEAVENLY HOME ABOVE, 
I SENT YOU EACH A MEMORY 
OF MY UNDYING LOVE. 

AFTER ALL, LOVE IS A GIFT 
MORE PRECIOUS THAN PURE GOLD, 
IT WAS ALWAYS MOST IMPORTANT
IN THE STORIES JESUS TOLD.

PLEASE LOVE AND KEEP EACH OTHER, 
AS THE FATHER SAID TO DO, 
FOR I CAN'T COUNT THE BLESSINGS
OR LOVE HE HAS FOR EACH OF YOU. 

SO HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS 
AND WIPE AWAY THAT TEAR, 
REMEMBER, I AM SPENDING CHRISTMAS 
WITH JESUS CHRIST THIS YEAR.