Christmas

 Today is Christmas.  Families everywhere are gathering to celebrate, exchange gifts, and eat themselves into a food coma!  I’ve had a nice Christmas, quiet and low key, but nice.  A far cry from Christmases past.  

When I was a kid, we had to go to both sets of grandparents. We’d get up early, my sister and I would see what Santa brought, and open our gifts from each other.  Then we’d load up the car and go to my mother’s folks.  All the aunts and uncles and cousins were there.  We’d eat a huge lunch and open gifts.  Then we’d load up again and go home for a few minutes and go to my father’s folks.  

Same scenario there.  Aunts, uncles, and cousins, except this side had more of each. Another huge meal and we’d head home.  By this time, we were so tired we didn’t want to play with our new toys, all we wanted to do was go to bed!

After I got married, it got more hectic.  We had to go to my mother in law’s for Christmas with my in laws.  We finally had to skip something. It was too much, especially with little children.  We started skipping grandparents so the boys could have some time at home.

Of course things change.  After my grandparents passed away, we only went to my parents and her mother’s. (Her father died when she was 8). That was easier.  We at least had some time at home and not so much travel.  

After the divorce, and the passing of my parents, it got even simpler.  My boys are grown, and have their own families. Most years I go to church with my older son and his family on Christmas Eve and have our Christmas at their house after church.  I did that last night and it was wonderful. My younger son usually comes over Christmas Day with his children. This year his mother had both boys and their families for Christmas lunch so we’ll see them Friday.

So today my sister and I had lunch, just the two of us.  My mother would be horrified that we didn’t have the huge feast, but we just cooked a steak and that was enough.  After a nap, I came to Susan’s.  It’s just us here and quiet.  We exchanged our gifts and are having leftovers from last night’s dinner with her son and his family.

I hope whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or just the winter solstice, that you have a joyous holiday with the people you love.  That’s what the holidays are about. Love.  

Happy Holidays, my friends. 

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