It is so strange to celebrate Christmas without our traditions and the snow we're used to. Today, we miss our family the most. Other years' we'd have arrived home from a candlelight service, stuffed stockings and wrapped last minute gifts. We'd be preparing for our big family breakfast in the morning. Opening one gift (always from Grandma) and reading the Christmas story before everyone tucks in for the night.
Tomorrow would be noise and activity-grandkids running around, and present opening that lasts for hours because there are so many of us, and we do it youngest to oldest, one gift at a time. At least Mikaira doesn't torture us by being the absolute slowest gift opener in the world anymore. Not kidding...We finally resorted to ammending the tradition where she was concerned and letting others go ahead while she was opening hers. We have videos of Mikaira picking away at the tape... gone on to someone else... panning back on Mikaira-now untying the ribbon...on to someone else...Mikaira, starting on the other side of the package...
After a day together, we'd be traveling to my mom's to get together with her and my siblings and their families for a huge spread usually single-handedly prepared by her. It would be loud and chaotic all day long: when my dad was alive, he would sit in the midst of it, grinning at everyone and you'd just know he had turned his hearing aids down!
We were so very glad we had our family Christmas before we left. Gathering family to celebrate that which we value is good tradition. It was different than what we've built all these years, but then, so is our family; it's expanded three-fold and grown in so many directions since we began them. This stage in our lives affords us the freedom to evaluate our contribution. Traditions are so vital to the bonds and values of a family, especially when children are young. Yet holding too tightly to one way that no longer serves that end can get you mired... We've learned to question our "expectations". Moves you forward in life...a good place to be!
Most of our children are grown with spouses and children of their own. Our two youngest are in a different place than their siblings when they were young. Different traditions, different opportunity-by virtue of birth order. Such is the rhythm of life...Passing the mantle to the parents' of our grandchildren to forge the identities of their cores together as family, we're deeply content to support and honour them in that. And tickled to create new Grandma and Granpa traditions that deepen those roots.
I slept most of this Christmas eve and sent everyone off to the beach. Slept most of the day yesterday too. So, so tired and really dizzy. If I move my head, the room spins. I feel a bit better and get up, and a half hour later can't keep my eyes open....Roused myself to go to a Christmas eve potluck at the Concrete Jungle, which was very enjoyable, but honestly, couldn't wait to get back to bed.
Kids are tucked and off I go again...nite, nite!
Tomorrow would be noise and activity-grandkids running around, and present opening that lasts for hours because there are so many of us, and we do it youngest to oldest, one gift at a time. At least Mikaira doesn't torture us by being the absolute slowest gift opener in the world anymore. Not kidding...We finally resorted to ammending the tradition where she was concerned and letting others go ahead while she was opening hers. We have videos of Mikaira picking away at the tape... gone on to someone else... panning back on Mikaira-now untying the ribbon...on to someone else...Mikaira, starting on the other side of the package...
After a day together, we'd be traveling to my mom's to get together with her and my siblings and their families for a huge spread usually single-handedly prepared by her. It would be loud and chaotic all day long: when my dad was alive, he would sit in the midst of it, grinning at everyone and you'd just know he had turned his hearing aids down!
We were so very glad we had our family Christmas before we left. Gathering family to celebrate that which we value is good tradition. It was different than what we've built all these years, but then, so is our family; it's expanded three-fold and grown in so many directions since we began them. This stage in our lives affords us the freedom to evaluate our contribution. Traditions are so vital to the bonds and values of a family, especially when children are young. Yet holding too tightly to one way that no longer serves that end can get you mired... We've learned to question our "expectations". Moves you forward in life...a good place to be!
Most of our children are grown with spouses and children of their own. Our two youngest are in a different place than their siblings when they were young. Different traditions, different opportunity-by virtue of birth order. Such is the rhythm of life...Passing the mantle to the parents' of our grandchildren to forge the identities of their cores together as family, we're deeply content to support and honour them in that. And tickled to create new Grandma and Granpa traditions that deepen those roots.
I slept most of this Christmas eve and sent everyone off to the beach. Slept most of the day yesterday too. So, so tired and really dizzy. If I move my head, the room spins. I feel a bit better and get up, and a half hour later can't keep my eyes open....Roused myself to go to a Christmas eve potluck at the Concrete Jungle, which was very enjoyable, but honestly, couldn't wait to get back to bed.
Kids are tucked and off I go again...nite, nite!
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