My boss said that this year she was not going to do a lot of those crazy things to "get ready for Christmas." She was going to take the time to relax and just spend time with her family. That sounded like good advice to me. This year I tried to do much of the same.
Both of our girls are home from college. I began to think about how many more Christmases there would be with all of us together under the same roof. I really tried to take the time to appreciate being together as a family. And I want this time of year to be memorable for all of us.
I did a lot of cooking and baking, but only because I wanted to. I wanted the delicious aromas of freshly baked bread, cinnamon rolls, and holiday ham to fill the home. The tree needed to be REAL with the scent of balsam, and - yes - trimmed with tinsel, because that's part of the tradition, like enjoying our lighted houses collection, and exchanging presents on Christmas Eve after the traditional lasagna dinner.
The main event is Christmas Eve Mass. It was an honor to be asked to usher for this Mass ("greet and seat," so I say) , a way to serve and to share the spirit of this special night. Geo, not feeling quite up to par, opted for a quieter, gentler Mass, but that's okay; daughter A accompanied him, and daughter J went with me to help at the Catholic Center.
Snow was on the ground, so it was an official "White Christmas," hopefully like one we will be able to say, "we used to know"
with joyful family traditions.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, everyone.
