Joys of the Season

I have to admit, this has been an odd Christmas season for me. It seemed to creep up and then bam! It was here and I wasn't ready! Cards went out late, I couldn't get my baking mode on, I didn't feel all that satisfied with most of the presents I found (and I still haven't finished shopping for when we celebrate with the kids). It was just odd.

It didn't help that Rick had the trade show and when he returned, we couldn't get together until just a couple of days before Christmas -- when he got a negative Covid test. And any plans to be with the the kids reasonably close to Christmas were dashed when first the toddlers got Covid, then their Mom. 

But it wasn't without its surprises and delights as well. The holiday brought a visit from my friend Jerry, who lives in Paris. We spent a delightful afternoon catching up, doing a bit of shopping and walking around the university campus. It had changed a lot since Jerry's days as a student, including this monstrosity, the art museum!

The big shock? Seeing new buds on one of the magnolia trees we passed by. Our climate is indeed out of whack.

A few days later, I went to Port Huron, a city on the US/Canada border to have lunch and celebrate the holiday with my friend Suzanne. It was Suzanne who brought me back from Canada two days before the border closed in 2020 and we hadn't seen each other since then!

We had a long lunch overlooking the bridge that divides the US and Canada, swapped presents and almost felt like normal.

I also had one of my fellow Friends of Theatre pals over for wine one evening and we enjoyed a wonderful talk for several hours. With a few snacks, a nice red, and holiday music in the background, it felt cozy and festive. And almost normal.

I had some lovely packages come in the mail but none surprised me more than this one!

This little fellow is called "The Dupa." Probably 20 years ago, my college friends Patty, Andy and I, met for lunch at Christmas. We bought this little gargoyle we called the Dupa (after our college "family" nickname) and each year it would be sent to one of us in a round robin. Then, for about eight or nine years it disappeared. What a surprise when it turned up in a box on my step from Andy in Florida! It will go to Maryland next year!

Lizzie decided the guest room was her room. Between that and her advent calendar, she was a happy girl.

 

I was finally able to see and be with Rick, and that may have been one of the best joys of all. It was very frustrating to have him two blocks away and not feel comfortable being in the same house until he was cleared after the trade show. Big happy smiles! We paid Christmas Eve visits to some friends where we enjoyed a dessert at one...

...and wine at another!

 

Then we stopped at the cemetery to say hi to my parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents. Next year I might bring a wreath.

Then it was home to prepare for our Christmas Eve feast. But that's for another day! I hope your holidays were merry and bright!

Sharing with:   Love Your Creativity   /   Pink Saturday