Family Party Coming Up...!

This is one of those "Good news...Bad news" post!

First of all, the family Christmas get-together is Saturday. That means that a lot more people will be at Mom's house than usual. Almost a crowd...and you know how I feel about crowds!

However there is an up side to the party this weekend...it officially marks the end of my Christmas celebration! Even though the widely recognized day is a little bit off, once the family get-together is over, I'm done.

The only reason I go through all the decorating and gathering and cooking and all the rest...is because of my Mother! Her house is the location of the party. Her house is the one we decorated. Her house is the one with the Christmas tree. She really likes this season, and looks forward to having the family all together, little ones running around in an extreme state of excitement, and all the grown ups talking at the same time!

At my house, there are no decorations up. There is no tree. There is never a lot of folks gathered there. Pretty much a lot of peace and quiet...and believe me, I like the peace and quiet!

Now, before you get to thinking that I'm just a mean old scrooge, let me tell you why I feel that way, OK?

I spend over 20 years of my working life in retail, having to listen to Christmas music from the day after Halloween until Christmas. When I was married and had kids around, I could still get into the mood for decorating, for the wrapping, almost could deal with the music! However, after I became single again...it didn't seem to make a lot of sense to go through through the activities found mainly around families.

Add to that the fact that my Father died in his long haul truck a long time ago...on Christmas eve. The fact that of the 4 times I've been in the hospital, 3 of them were at Christmas time, and the fact that, being single, I used to volunteer to work on the holidays so that the guys with families could spend time with them. I most always lived away from family, so it was just me and the critters.

I still enjoy a little holiday magic, but it's my own version. After saying "Happy Birthday" to the Lord...I'll spend the rest of the day just enjoying the peace and quiet, sharing some good food with the critters (they eat mine, not the other way around) I'll probably read and maybe listen to some good music. NOT the Christmas kind...maybe some classical or big bands!

On a separate note...the nephew came by early Thursday morning to say good-bye! He is off on the next big adventure in his life! I wish him all the best and do envy him for at least getting out of Houston. I hope it won't be that much longer for me, but now just isn't the time! I'm hoping that things hold together long enough in the world, for me to reach the point where I can see the big city in my rear view mirror...and wave good bye for good!

However, life moves at it's own pace! We can't change it, we can't fight it, we can only go with the flow and continue to prepare for all the surprises we know are just around the bend, right? Right!

Now, my friends, let's get some fresh coffee and sit in the kitchen for a bit. We'll drink a toast to the nephew and his new journey!