Today is December 28th and the house is again quiet this morning. We said goodbye to our daughter, son-in-law, and their six children about three hours ago. They are on their way home to Pennsylvania with a planned stop in North Carolina to visit John (or son) and his family.
The linens have been taken from their beds, the last sets of dishes are in the washer, and the oven is self-cleaning. This was our first Christmas in this new home, and we were able to share the time with family for this most important of seasons. It is precisely why we made the move from northwest Florida to this community.
There is something that is both rewarding and frustrating in the chaos that comes with six kids ranging from 12 to 2, but I can’t image not experiencing all the joy that comes with that experience. While they were with us, and our son-in-law’s parents (also members of this community) we got to share a glimpse of the everyday life of herding them from waking until sleep.
With our in-laws, we shared a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner called a Wigilla. For the Polish, the Wigilla is the most important family meal of the entire year. With its essential components, it provided a true feast, with all its rich tastes, and when coupled with the love of family blended in – it helped remind us of what is most important in life and the Christmas season.
Christmas Eve also marked the transition of the guests from the other parent’s home to ours. The arrangement worked will to share both the joys of the visit and reduce the stress on homes that are normally chaos free.
Christmas morning found us gathered around the Christmas tree as we exchanged gifts and noted that Santa was still able to find this place to leave some gifts for the kids. All the excitement (or noise) of a family opening presents is something, I think, every Grandparent looks most forward to. We were no exception.
In the afternoon as the youngest napped the oldest got to play with all the toys, Mimi has so carefully preserved so they would be here when the need arose. While that was going on their Dad and I kept watch while Mimi and our daughter prepared a traditional English Christmas dinner for eight adults and six kids.
At the table, the wine and friendship flowed liberally and I believe everyone had a great time. The house seemed to hold everyone and I haven’t noticed any seams that may have burst, although some belts were loosened.
The next day we were off to SeaWorld. The park and the weather cooperated to be a perfect outing, although we didn’t ride as many roller coasters as some would have wanted. We left the park at about 7pm and not everyone was able to stay awake for the ride home, but when we left everyone agreed it was just a great day all around. We got to see Orca whales, Dolphins, Manatees, Turtles, Sharks, Rays, Sea Lions, Seals, and all kinds of fish. Oh yes, and every time we stopped for a couple of minutes the kids got to hunt for lizards or Geckos. They caught one but he didn’t try to sell them insurance.
All-in-all I’ve got to say this was one the best Christmas’s we’ve had in a long, long time.
I know not everyone can say that, but my New Year’s wish for all who read this is I hope this next year, and the next Christmas finds you as truly blessed as I feel right now.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
1 comment:
So some of the on-going twelve days of Christmas will be quiet for you, but what lovely memories you have of your sweet gathering.
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