The countdown to Christmas is over, the pretty wrapped packages all open and all the secrets are revealed but for some reason I don't have that usual let down that comes once the suspense is over. I think it is because this year Christmas continues with Michele and the kids here.
It has been a while since I've enjoyed the excitement of children as they opened their gifts and the joy they expressed when I opened mine from them and they could see I was pleased.
This Christmas was special in more ways than one. The whole family was together on Saturday before as we enjoyed a table full of finger foods and snacks as well as two punches, one for the children and one for the adults. Later, it was laughter and shouts of glee as we exchanged gifts. It was made more fun with the gag gifts thrown in but all was taken in good nature and later as my two grandsons paired up to spend time together, the granddaughters along with Melanie and Michele and me played a game.
We all missed the one important person in our family but we knew he was here in spirit with us and when the girls gave me a very special gift, I could only shed tears of joy and I knew he was here with us and the love I felt for my two daughters at that moment was more than I had ever known. Their thoughtfulness in giving me a gift that I had talked about but hadn't bought was awesome and overwhelming. The gift was a flag box to hold the memorial gift from Harold's funeral.
Our Saturday celebration was great and we so enjoyed being together again after so many years apart and we hated to see Melanie and Zach go home but we have a lot of new memories and pictures and know that we will all be together again for our special celebrations.
Today was just as exciting as the kids got up to see what Santa had brought and of course Santa did come. In fact, I had just gone to bed when I heard a noise and thought we had a trespasser but looked out to see the sleigh and reindeer and then lo and behold like magic he appeared to fill the stockings and look at the tree. The kitties, Shadow and Miss Kitty went to greet him and received a pat on the head, Jazzie out in her cage was quiet so didn't scare him off and Gretta was sleeping soundly on the bed next to Michele, but Santa didn't forget the furry friends. And I got to see him without being caught. I watched as he climbed in his sleigh and as he called out to the reindeer, they lifted the sleigh and jolly old man into the night sky where I heard him say MERRY CHRISTMAS. I went back to my bed and closed my eyes to sleep so I could tell the story for all to believe.
Now we sit here waiting for the winter storm to move in bringing us snow for a white Christmas, one of which I wish I could only dream about but alas it looks like the dream might come true and we only hope it won't be as bad as they are predicting.
From my family to yours, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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