A Day of Shopping

Ok, I'll admit when I'm wrong. And I had mentioned to a couple of close friends that I wasn't all that excited to have my oldest daughter home from college for the extended period that she was going to be home (Dec. 14th - Jan. 28th without a chance of a job). I knew she would drive me crazy with her hours (late), her hording of glassware and dishes in her room, and general aimlessness. But I admit it. . .I was wrong. Her sheer joy of life, her warmth and general kindness make up for all of the stuff that drives me nuts.

Spent the day Christmas shopping with this daughter. Her generosity in the face of a shrinking bank balance amaze me. The fact that she continues to buy gift after gift for her sister, when that sister barely manages to come up with one gift, makes me want to both hug her and slap her upside the head. As she said though, "I keep thinking if I buy Anna lots of stuff, maybe she'll start being nice to me," shows her "half-full" way of thinking, versus my half-empty way. She must get it from her dad.

The shopping wasn't that bad today. Lots of stuff on sale and of course I spent more than I should have. But except for a new faucet for my Mom's kitchen sink (don't ask, Mike wants to take care of this gift for my mother), and some last minute grocery shopping, I think I'm about ready for the holiday. I'll do the shopping in the morning, make a couple of apple pies, go to Cathy's for Christmas Eve (I still wish the girls would go with us, but I understand), then come home and maybe we can all watch a movie or play cards or something together. In the morning it will be Santa time (with 19 & 17 year olds; but I can't give up the Santa thing yet), then off to Palmer to spend time with Mom, Butch, Terri and whoever else shows up.

I'd like to stop at the cemetery to say hi to Gramps and Auntie Rena on Christmas morning too. I know the snow will be deep, and I understand that I can talk to them whenever and wherever, but it still feels special to be there. Every year there are less and less people, people I love, and the missing is more acute with the more people around you.

I feel like this year the holiday flew at me with little warning. And now it's here. And then it will be gone.