I survived our Night in Bethlehem Christmas Party. I would like to say it was well worth all the effort but it was one of those cases where the negatives far outweighed any positives. Don’t get me wrong. The booth decorations turned out amazing, the evening went smoothly and most people dressed up in Biblical attire to get into the spirit of it all.
It’s just the drama behind the scenes that still has me up in arms. I can now understand the Holy Wars. Those Crusaders claimed their reasoning was a fight against Islam. But I know the true meaning: they were control freaks who set the chairs up in an unacceptable fashion. I expect the history books to change immediately upon the advent of my discovery.
Let me get something straight: I am in charge of all social functions for our ward (congregation). Way back in October, I gave leaders in the ward specific assignments to help pull this off and extensively followed up with each of them. Some were wonderful and followed through 100%. Others, NotSoMuch.
It started Monday when I found out the person in charge of constructing the manger scene had delegated it to another. Fine. I was annoyed but it was still getting done so I coped. But then everything fell through with it and suddenly the night before, I was faced with having to throw it together at the last minute because no one would step up and take responsibility.
If that wasn’t bad enough, things came to a head with Egg Lady. Though she is a tremendous organizer and planner, she is an obsessive control freak and has to have her hands in E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G.
She stopped in briefly on Thursday night when we were setting up. When I told her what happened with the manger scene, she made the accusation it was my fault. That I hadn’t given everyone enough time (because it took me two hours to pull off what I gave them two months to plan). That when she was the Activity Person, she did blah blah blah. I am not a contentious person but these comments and others made me snap and the fight began. I finally walked away because she was not backing down.
I didn’t sleep all night because I was so worked up. When I arrived the next morning to drop some decorations off, she was there. I tried to be pleasant but it took her exactly five minutes to start criticizing. This time, she didn’t like how the chairs were setup. I told her a man in the ward had graciously done it for us and they were just fine. End of story.
Until I showed up later that afternoon right before the event and SHE HAD REARRANGED THE DAMN CHAIRS ANYWAY.
Now, because I am married to Jesus Junior I have not done anything wicked. Well, except for the above expletive. And because he is a calming influence he has me convinced I need to talk it out with her. Talk. Where’s the action, the drama?
And so for now (well, just as soon as I’m calm enough to play the diplomat in this battle) there will be peace in the land.
I'm a Canadian-born mom of two, former Denver Post columnist, family travel writer, editor of MileHighMamas.com and 9News contributor. Expert on all things Utah, Denver, family and travel. Lover of laughter and life. Happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin. 
