Somebody waits for you... kiss her once for me
Today was Christmas 2007, and I must admit that it went over much more smoothly and was much more enjoyable than I had initially expected. It was definitely a very different kind of holiday, in many different ways. But all in all, I am quite happy.
I came home yesterday (Monday) after finishing up some 11th hour Christmas shopping at Target. Given everything that's happened over the course of 6+ months, I'm not exactly surprised that I waited until the very last minute to go shopping. As it was, I went shopping with Suzanne on Saturday and finished up my shopping on Christmas Eve -- and turned out quite pleased with the results. Guess I shop well under pressure. Anyways, I came home and wrapped everything I had just bought, plus I helped my mom out and wrapped what was left of her pile. Then I helped her make brownies and the pastry for Christmas morning, set the table, and a variety of other around the house projects. The four of us had dinner together and I fell asleep quite early, relaxing, which is something I haven't done in a long time.
My mom woke my sister and me up at 8 on the dot this morning, and we all ate breakfast and then opened presents. I was actually very proud of the presents I got for my family, and in return I was surprised with a lot of good stuff: Hairspray!, a $50 gas card (which will probably all be gone in one fell swoop, thanks to gas prices), a gift card to Laschi's so I can get my hair dyed/highlighted, a pair of pajamas, a shirt and a dress from Target, some chocolates and makeup, and a few other things. I went to Lowell with my mom to pick up my nana, and by the time we got back the family (Aunt Jacqui, Rick, Mack, and Caitlin) had arrived. Uncle Barry came by soon after, and then we opened presents with them before eating. This time around I got a lot of cute things from my aunt, a gift card to Dunkins, a couple of gift cards, and a sweatshirt from my uncle (sorry, no silk pjs this year...) that I actually really like.
There was so much food I didn't know where to begin. After we said a very, very nice grace written by my aunt, we dug in. The carnivores had prime rib (ew), but other than that there was mashed potatoes, corn, rolls, honey carrots, a vegetarian pot pie (the best), spinach casserole, onion pudding, and probably a few other things I can't remember being on my plate. I was so stuffed I couldn't finish everything I took. Of course, eating all the appetizers probably had something to do with my being so full. My mom and I cleaned up, after a festive noise-maker experiment, and we later sat down to dessert: chocolate pie (mmmm), fruit tart, apple pie, pumpkin cheesecake, cookies, and mint brownies. Everything was delicious. And of course everyone kept asking when Eric was going to show up, and he finally did during dessert, but couldn't even take Nick out of the car because he was so tired and when we woke him up he started wailing, poor baby, because he is so sick. So Eric drove him home and then came back solo, and by that time, Uncle Dick, Mary Ann, Alyse, her boyfriend Brian, and Grandma had showed up. After what seemed like endless introductions, Eric and I had a little time to ourselves before joining the family for what turned out to be very pleasant conversation. Uncle Barry and my nana had a lovely time talking to him, for which I was very grateful.
It never fails to surprise me how the initial magic of Christmas wears off a little more with each passing year. When I was little, it used to be the absolute highlight of every year, and I would begin the countdown for it back in October. The piles of presents were never-ending, and the day was an exhausting celebration of family and a feast of the most delicious food. I lived for Christmastime. Now, growing up, the pile of presents has dwindled, things don't seem as magical, everything is twinged by reality -- not that that is necessarily a bad thing, but it isn't such a romanticized masterpiece of a day. And I've always had a hard time grappling with that. And especially this year, given all that has happened these last six or seven months -- it's been difficult. I wish that my sister and I were speaking, that is probably what affected me the most this year. Even when we had the smallest of interactions, it both comforted and saddened me because I miss her. And I must say that my favorite gift was the card from Aunt Jacqui -- the sentiment expressed in it was very touching. Also, having Eric come over meant more to me than I think either my family or Eric knows. Being able to share Christmas with my boyfriend, welcomed into my house by my family, was something I've never been able to do before, and something that I know will stay with me for a long time.
Here's to one more Christmas, and I hope that by this time next year, things will be different -- but just as wonderful, strange as it is to say.
Hope all of you had a good holiday.
I came home yesterday (Monday) after finishing up some 11th hour Christmas shopping at Target. Given everything that's happened over the course of 6+ months, I'm not exactly surprised that I waited until the very last minute to go shopping. As it was, I went shopping with Suzanne on Saturday and finished up my shopping on Christmas Eve -- and turned out quite pleased with the results. Guess I shop well under pressure. Anyways, I came home and wrapped everything I had just bought, plus I helped my mom out and wrapped what was left of her pile. Then I helped her make brownies and the pastry for Christmas morning, set the table, and a variety of other around the house projects. The four of us had dinner together and I fell asleep quite early, relaxing, which is something I haven't done in a long time.
My mom woke my sister and me up at 8 on the dot this morning, and we all ate breakfast and then opened presents. I was actually very proud of the presents I got for my family, and in return I was surprised with a lot of good stuff: Hairspray!, a $50 gas card (which will probably all be gone in one fell swoop, thanks to gas prices), a gift card to Laschi's so I can get my hair dyed/highlighted, a pair of pajamas, a shirt and a dress from Target, some chocolates and makeup, and a few other things. I went to Lowell with my mom to pick up my nana, and by the time we got back the family (Aunt Jacqui, Rick, Mack, and Caitlin) had arrived. Uncle Barry came by soon after, and then we opened presents with them before eating. This time around I got a lot of cute things from my aunt, a gift card to Dunkins, a couple of gift cards, and a sweatshirt from my uncle (sorry, no silk pjs this year...) that I actually really like.
There was so much food I didn't know where to begin. After we said a very, very nice grace written by my aunt, we dug in. The carnivores had prime rib (ew), but other than that there was mashed potatoes, corn, rolls, honey carrots, a vegetarian pot pie (the best), spinach casserole, onion pudding, and probably a few other things I can't remember being on my plate. I was so stuffed I couldn't finish everything I took. Of course, eating all the appetizers probably had something to do with my being so full. My mom and I cleaned up, after a festive noise-maker experiment, and we later sat down to dessert: chocolate pie (mmmm), fruit tart, apple pie, pumpkin cheesecake, cookies, and mint brownies. Everything was delicious. And of course everyone kept asking when Eric was going to show up, and he finally did during dessert, but couldn't even take Nick out of the car because he was so tired and when we woke him up he started wailing, poor baby, because he is so sick. So Eric drove him home and then came back solo, and by that time, Uncle Dick, Mary Ann, Alyse, her boyfriend Brian, and Grandma had showed up. After what seemed like endless introductions, Eric and I had a little time to ourselves before joining the family for what turned out to be very pleasant conversation. Uncle Barry and my nana had a lovely time talking to him, for which I was very grateful.
It never fails to surprise me how the initial magic of Christmas wears off a little more with each passing year. When I was little, it used to be the absolute highlight of every year, and I would begin the countdown for it back in October. The piles of presents were never-ending, and the day was an exhausting celebration of family and a feast of the most delicious food. I lived for Christmastime. Now, growing up, the pile of presents has dwindled, things don't seem as magical, everything is twinged by reality -- not that that is necessarily a bad thing, but it isn't such a romanticized masterpiece of a day. And I've always had a hard time grappling with that. And especially this year, given all that has happened these last six or seven months -- it's been difficult. I wish that my sister and I were speaking, that is probably what affected me the most this year. Even when we had the smallest of interactions, it both comforted and saddened me because I miss her. And I must say that my favorite gift was the card from Aunt Jacqui -- the sentiment expressed in it was very touching. Also, having Eric come over meant more to me than I think either my family or Eric knows. Being able to share Christmas with my boyfriend, welcomed into my house by my family, was something I've never been able to do before, and something that I know will stay with me for a long time.
Here's to one more Christmas, and I hope that by this time next year, things will be different -- but just as wonderful, strange as it is to say.
Hope all of you had a good holiday.