Im writing very late today, because I just got home from our holiday weekend. Did not want to forget/neglect writing in here two weeks in a row, so better late than never today.

Had our family Christmas this weekend at my parents place on Cape Cod. My niece and nephew couldn’t make it, which was very disappointing for me and my parents, and Im sure my brother felt badly about it too. My niece has been having issues with anxiety, and she isnt yet ready or comfortable sitting in a car for a drive that is over 2 hours long. Her stomach was in knots about it. My nephew was supposed to come with my brother, but then he came down with a really bad cold and ended up staying home with Jillian (hes older so he stayed home to watch her and also to get well and rest).

So Nothing really went as planned, but it ended up being a really nice time with just the four of us; me, my brother, and mom and dad. No grandkids for my parents, no partners or spouses or anything for me or my brother. Just us. Our immediate family. The core four. It is rare these days that we all get quality time together, so it was very special and very much cherished, I think for all of us. We ate fantastic food, played out some of our family holiday traditions, had a nice dinner with another couple / friends of my parents who live there at the condo community, and laughed like crazy staying up late watching “Seinfeld” reruns. So much fun, and a quick little getaway, but one that was very much needed for some relaxation time. Of course, during times like these, I miss Don so much. He just fit in with our family so perfectly, and he was always so much fun and always up for a relaxing weekend with the folks doing not too much of anything except enjoying each others company. We absolutely need more times like we had this weekend. It needs to happen more often. And yet, the fact that its often difficult to make it happen is exactly what made the past two days so special. Me, my brother, and mom and dad just laughing, teasing each other, catching up on each others lives, and existing in our natural rhythms together. Wonderfully simple, and very necessary. I love my people.

I just got home and my kitty Autumn missed me, so I’m going to go sit with her and listen to her purr loudly. It is a wonderful sound. Merry Everything, folks! I hope you get to enjoy time with some of the people who are closest in your inner circle. It really means so much.