The Day After and the Meaning of Christmas

As usual, I was sooooooo tired yesterday. I think I've felt like this every holiday since Cub has been born. The past few years the exhaustion has been due to my obsessive need to do it all and get it all done at any cost. In the middle of it all, Cub got sick two days before Christmas. Of course, I believe if we don't slow down as we need to, the universe does it for us. So Cub had one of the worst head colds she's ever had plus a high fever. We didn't get to go to Long Island to see my family. We didn't want to risk giving Grandma and Grandpa the bug. Christmas Eve was spent home alone sad and sipping tomato soup. Later, I was okay with the quiet, because I got to finish up MOST of my last minute gifts. Cub's Nana did receive only two cloth napkins with an "IOU two more" note tucked inside the box! But that's okay because...

In spite of Cub's getting sick and the very rough start to our day-circumstances preventing Daddy to make it over to our house in time to open gifts, an argument that ensued as a result, Daddy not showing-up until much later in the day to make his point (?)...
It turned out to be a most lovely Chrismas....One of those spontaneous events-that unfolds beautifully. After opening presents by ourselves, Cub and I decided to spread some holiday cheer and visit her Great-grandpa. He is currently at home on hospice care. Her Nana and two aunts were there. We had a sweet little visit with some tears, too. Aunt M. gave everyone a special keepsake gift on behalf of Pops this year. I received a memory box locket. I will always remember him for so many reasons. He was my very first visitor after Cub was born. He was not in great shape then, suffering the effects of Parkinson's, but he was sitting in my room when they brought me down from recovery. I always felt quietly understood, appreciated, and supported by him. A talented, professional musician, an artist, a thinker, a deeply sensitive and compassionate man. Pops, I love you!

Later, we went over to Cub's Nana's house, which was decorated beatifully. Candles and lights, music, and red everywhere. By the time our unplanned dinner took place, there were eleven of us around the table enjoying a delicious ham and so much more. Cub's Daddy finally showed-up, too. His boss gave him the day off. So he helped his mom with the clean-up before dinner and some of the vegetarian dishes, which were quite yummy. Lots of food, wine, conversation, and peace-making.
And Cub was a real trooper. She opened lots of presents, napped when she needed to, and kept us all entertained with her imaginative stories and games that she makes up; after dinner, turning each of us into an animal of her choice then taking a "photo" of us with her new magic wand!
I hope everyone had an enjoyable day yesterday...filled with magic and love.


"...A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth, good will to men!"