(no subject)
The last of the family left this morning. The house is empty, quiet and lonely.
The week of activity when everyone comes is such an anticipated event, when it's over it's all kind of a blur. Christmas morning was hard to absorb - lots of activity. An OBSCENE amount of presents. Lots of laughing and ooo-ing and ah-ing. There were gifts given that I never saw opened.
It was all good, just an excercise in over-stimulation (for me).
Tom and I were very melancholy about all of the folks before the kids arrived. While they were here, I would think about mom, but I didn't really get bogged down with sadness. That surprised me.
Tom, Kate and I went out for supper the other night. I asked them if this was 'typical' of Christmas get-togethers. I didn't have lots of family to celebrate with, just my mom and step-father . I didn't have grand parents since I came along so late. So when planning the family gathering, I don't have anything to compare it to, just notions in my head.
Tom and Kate said yes, not only was it typical, but it was good.
Tom sees it this way - we set the stage, are the facilitators, then it is what it is. People come and go but we are the home base.
I always feel like its so chaotic that you really don't get to spend much quality time with the people you love. It is impossible to have a conversation without seventy jillion interruptions. I think that's what I struggle with most.
Plus this year, I just plain didn't feel well. Probably one of the things most precious to me was nap time with Andrew. We would talk a bit about things, then he would snuggle close to me and fall asleep. We would BOTH fall asleep I should say.
To have a little person trust and love you that much is amazing to me. He is 3, it won't be too long before these opportunities are outgrown.
Otherwise, it seemed that you would just thrust yourself into the fray. Try to be with people individually as you could. We were all in the same general area when it came time to eat. It's a wonderful thing just to see all of your loved ones in the same room. Talking, laughing. I felt more like an observer this year, and that's ok, too. They are all so young and vibrant, their whole lives still waiting to be lived. They are nice people, too. That's a bonus :)
* * *
Now comes this dreadful time between Chrsitmas and New Years. yuck.
This year tho, I'm still enjoying the decorations. Last year I couldn't wait to get them down. I like how warm and alive it makes the house look and feel.
So, bit by bit am doing laundry and getting things back to normal. I will leave the decorations up til next week I think. Maybe I'll go make some tea and sit by the Christmas tree.
The week of activity when everyone comes is such an anticipated event, when it's over it's all kind of a blur. Christmas morning was hard to absorb - lots of activity. An OBSCENE amount of presents. Lots of laughing and ooo-ing and ah-ing. There were gifts given that I never saw opened.
It was all good, just an excercise in over-stimulation (for me).
Tom and I were very melancholy about all of the folks before the kids arrived. While they were here, I would think about mom, but I didn't really get bogged down with sadness. That surprised me.
Tom, Kate and I went out for supper the other night. I asked them if this was 'typical' of Christmas get-togethers. I didn't have lots of family to celebrate with, just my mom and step-father . I didn't have grand parents since I came along so late. So when planning the family gathering, I don't have anything to compare it to, just notions in my head.
Tom and Kate said yes, not only was it typical, but it was good.
Tom sees it this way - we set the stage, are the facilitators, then it is what it is. People come and go but we are the home base.
I always feel like its so chaotic that you really don't get to spend much quality time with the people you love. It is impossible to have a conversation without seventy jillion interruptions. I think that's what I struggle with most.
Plus this year, I just plain didn't feel well. Probably one of the things most precious to me was nap time with Andrew. We would talk a bit about things, then he would snuggle close to me and fall asleep. We would BOTH fall asleep I should say.
To have a little person trust and love you that much is amazing to me. He is 3, it won't be too long before these opportunities are outgrown.
Otherwise, it seemed that you would just thrust yourself into the fray. Try to be with people individually as you could. We were all in the same general area when it came time to eat. It's a wonderful thing just to see all of your loved ones in the same room. Talking, laughing. I felt more like an observer this year, and that's ok, too. They are all so young and vibrant, their whole lives still waiting to be lived. They are nice people, too. That's a bonus :)
* * *
Now comes this dreadful time between Chrsitmas and New Years. yuck.
This year tho, I'm still enjoying the decorations. Last year I couldn't wait to get them down. I like how warm and alive it makes the house look and feel.
So, bit by bit am doing laundry and getting things back to normal. I will leave the decorations up til next week I think. Maybe I'll go make some tea and sit by the Christmas tree.