Christmas finally ended for us on January 7.
No, we’re not Greek Orthodox or anything, but that was the day that we were able to meet with the family in Forest City, having gotten snowed out on Christmas day.
It was somewhat bittersweet, because it was the first Christmas without an entire generation there. Maw-maw Belle and her sisters Louise and Georgie had all passed away during the last year. (Well, Belle beat Christmas last year by just a few days, but that hardly counts since we were still too numb to notice).
It was still a great celebration. There’s a new baby to pass around, and that improves any gathering in my opinion. There was lots of food and a special gift or two.
Sis had put together her genealogy work in a notebook and gave out copies, and Belle’s youngest daughter had copied some of her favorite recipes down in books for everyone. While playing “Sneaky Santa” was fun – we’ve dialed back the commercialism significantly – those are the presents that will mean the most in the long run.
At the end of the evening, those of us from Hickory bundled back in our cars and the locals went off to their homes.
We had reconnected, even if it was just for a few hours, and had heard family stories retold, laughed at foibles, pushed each other’s buttons enough to make sure that they were still there but not enough to make anyone mad, and generally had a good time.
That’s what holidays are for. Not the presents or the food (although those things are nice), but because they give you a reason not to lose touch with those you love.
1 comment:
The rest of your family in Oklahoma miss poking fun at you too. Being poked fun at back isn't to bad either.
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