Packed up the Gifts

Packed up the gifts to mail to the kids homes. Twelve boxes. It seems more than the physical items are going into those boxes. It's as if I am packing up the air and words and laughter surrounding the gifts... taping the box shut and shipping it all off. I don't want to lose those moments.

I take a deep breath. This was a wonderful Christmas. It was ever so different, sharing our older son with his wife's family. None of my parents or Mike's parents are with us any more. Our family unit of five joined together December 27th. Even though the dates and structure weren't perfect, it was perfect. Mike said to me, as I whined about not having the oldest two home on the actual day, "It will be what you make of it." WOW! Frying pan to the side of the head! And darned it all, he was right.

Christmas Eve we three home inserted ourselves into others' Christmas festivities. Invited of course. Kind, kind friends who open up their arms to others. Cocktails, cocktails, dinner, mass. Croissants fresh from the oven, open gifts, bowling, dinner. That was our Christmas, oh, and add smiles, laughter, jokes, hugs, conversation, and singing. It was perfect.

Then we got to do it all over again two days later! How cool is that!

Now it is quiet. My heart misses our kids. But I know they are happy. So my heart sings. They are on solid paths. They are pretty healthy, in good relationships.

And we have made stronger the ties that bind us five. That's what happens when you spend time together. It doesn't need to be short bursts of intense quality time. Just plain time. The gift of being present. Talking about life, talking about the football game. Being present with each other.

So I am okay they are all on their own paths. I want them to live their lives to the fullest. Once in a while all our paths intersect. Then they diverge again. That's what family is all about Charlie Brown.