Christmas 2022 has come, but still lingers. That's one of the things I love about this holiday. It lasts. I have enjoyed a slow quiet week of little work, leftovers and lots of movies. Now we're gearing up to do it again for New Year's...a mostly quiet night in with old friends and a new game.
This was one of the best Christmases I can remember. The whole family is feeling that vibe. I hope that lasts too. Christmas Eve eve we spent at my brother and sister in law's after a day of prep for our party the next day. It was a cozy night around the fire and then around the candle lit table for homemade pot pies. There were some presents, a game, dessert and a festive after dinner egg nog. We were home in bed at a reasonable hour.
I was the first to rise and shine Christmas morning. I prepped the Eggs Benedict and made some coffees and finally lured the rest of the house down. Never mind that the cats were busy unwrapping their presents under the tree (for the fifth time)! Opening took longer than I thought. Despite my committeemen to buy less, I bought more than I thought. In that loot, were things that were needed like new really warm winter coat for Lily for surviving on the Isthmus this winter. And boots. Ted asked for a steamer. He bought his sister the perfect outfit and I know it wasn't cheap. Meryl had to have helped him because Lily loves it. She reciprocated with an equally generous and well received gift for him. That warms my mama heart.
The family arrived on time (!) and the kitchen became chaotic. Lily poured the champagne cocktails and the boys helped unload cars. Initially we planned to do a sit down dinner, but the consensus was for an appetizer buffet. That's actually more work, but it was delicious and I had a great deal of help getting things in and out of the oven. My dad and brother kept me entertained while exchanging jokes and playing cribbage at the kitchen island. The Packer game was on in the family room. Gus was the life of the party...no surprise. It was just a cozy chill day.
And it was a Christmas miracle that the family stuck to this year's rule of no gifts other than white elephant. I was sure that there would be more than one violator. It was time for a reset as things had gotten out of control, but we'll see what next year brings. My aunt once again found the most obnoxious noise making creature. This year it was a 4 foot rubber hug me chicken that literally sounded like it was dying and even sent Gus into hiding for a bit. Thankfully he went home with my brother.
We celebrated at my mother in law's the next day. We received a card from her yesterday. She said that it could have been a sad holiday without Paul, but it was mostly happy. Having a big family, a full house undoubtedly helps with that. Everyone was there...all the cousins and some of their significant others. A big family getting bigger. It is a beautiful thing.
Tuesday I woke still exhausted after a solid night's sleep. The holidays were catching up with me. I spent the day busy at home getting sorted and doing laundry so Ted would be ready to leave for San Diego the next day. Luckily his passport was here or else he would have been heading to Madison and maybe Chicago to retrieve it instead of playing basketball with his friends. He's leaving from CA for Canada. I love my son and he did turn 22 on this day, but I don't always understand him and I sure cannot keep up with him. He really thought he was going to pack in a carry on for 10 days in two polar opposite climates.
We met some family and a bunch of Ted's friends out for a little birthday celebration. I love Ted's friends. We paid the tab and then let them go to the casino on their own. I tasked Nathan with getting Ted home by 12:30 as we had to get to O'Hare for an 8:30 am flight the next day...arrangements he made without consulting me. He was a bear to get up after only 2 hours of sleep, but we were on the road by 5 and at the airport by 6:45. He chatted the entire ride. Adrenaline? Excitement? Alcohol? Likely all three. I drove home in silence. As I left Chicago behind, the most beautiful sunrise teased me from the review mirror. I spent the hour and half ride home in quiet reflection. I needed it.
Later that day, Ted sent a picture of the sunset from the beach. It was the perfect ending to the day.
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