It’s Christma Eve!! Can you believe it? Christmas Eve has always been my favorite day of the year, because it meant family. In my case, lots of it. I am one of a gazillion kids. Not quite, but between my biological and step-siblings, there are at least seventy-five of us. I might be slightly off, (math is not my strong suit), but that number feels about right. I am excited today, because I get to see more than a handful of my brothers and sisters tomorrow, and a couple more later in the week. Plus, I get to see their kiddos, my practically perfect nieces and nephews, and Christmas without kids is like peanut butter without chocolate, delicious, but incomplete.
Speaking of delicious, check out this 'lil redhead with her dashing grandfather, circa 1984??
Last year I spent Christmas by myself. I thought it was a good idea at the time, selfless even, but it wasn’t. In fact, it is one of the top three most selfish choices I have ever made. I am glad that I am a year removed from that memory, and that I have lived through so many enriching moments since then that I am certain I would not make that choice today. Instead, I am going to find a couple of vintage photos to include in this post, (ones that I hope will not embarrass anyone), hit Publish, go run, swim, ride my bike, watch Lost In Space, (it’s streaming on Netflix TODAY), dream up and then execute an amazing dinner for Marion and I tonight, watch Elf, try to sleep through Santa’s late-night visit, then wake up on Christmas morning, go to mass, run, ride my bike, cook up some veggies, and drive out to Claremont to spend the day with my family.
My sister Mary and I circa somewhere in the mid-80's?
I hope all of you spend these next few days with people you care about, and who care about you, whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, the Winter Solstice, or not, this is a special time of year to reflect and embrace the humanity within ourselves and all around us.
Happy Holidays!!
The song and video choice this week is the song that truly ushers in the season for me, the classic holiday tune from Band Aid, Do They Know It's Christmas. Enjoy:)