Sweat & Sparkle

Yesterday, we were invited to celebrate my oldest son’s 27th birthday with a surprise party. All four of the kids were there, as well as our youngest grandbaby. I didn’t get to hold him last time we saw him, because I had a stuffy nose and didn’t want to get him sick. So I was more than happy to snuggle him on my lap through dinner, laughing as he reached for my hands as I tried to eat.

It doesn’t take very long for the volume to ramp up when all four kids are together, especially when they are relaxed and feel safe to be themselves. Sitting there with my husband’s arm around me, our grandbaby nuzzled into my neck, and the kids and their sidekicks acting up and laughing around the table, I thought, this is beautiful. I love not only that all of us were able to get together, but that the kids feel free to cut loose, get goofy, and have so much fun with us.

I know it’s not like that for them everywhere. Not everyone in their family accepts them as they are or loves them unconditionally. There’s a huge difference between obligatory attendance at a parent’s home to avoid a narcissistic tantrum, versus truly enjoying themselves and feeling welcome. Thankfully, we are the latter, as they have told us many times.

Sitting in the living room after dinner and cake, the kids started swapping funny stories about when they were little. Each of us had to jump in and add details for the significant others in the room, to make sure they got as vivid a picture of the events as possible. Some of the stories were from when the kids were so small, and it was nearly breathtaking to sit there with that image in my head, yet this grown adult sitting there with me now. Where did the time go?

I ended up with a splitting headache from laughing so hard, but it was worth it. I had a great time. I love seeing the kids happy.

Later, after we got home, it occurred to me that the person who invested the most time in trying to destroy our relationship with the kids was not invited to this party. The fact that we had so much fun speaks volumes about how the greatest gift some people can give is their blessed absence.

The Norm

Having the past week off for the holidays, and spending each day with my husband, made it very difficult to return to work this morning. It says a lot, I believe, that we can spend an entire week together and still want more time together. I joke with him that it’s because he loves picking on me and irritating me on purpose so much, and he has to laugh, because he can’t deny that!

We were walking into a store together one day over the holiday break, and an older man standing near the entrance commented on us holding hands, saying, “Well, that’s not the norm these days.”

Maybe. Maybe not. It is the norm for us, though. And I am glad it is.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Lights

My husband and I were up early today, because there’s just so much to do. I’ll take over the kitchen for a little while this afternoon, baking cupcakes, making my own frosting, and experimenting with a new candy recipe.

Last night, we went to a park nearby with a Christmas lights display. I don’t remember the first time we went, because we’ve been going every year for so long. My older stepdaughter has come home to go with us every year, even after she left for college and then her new job. The last few years, she has come to the lights with her fiancé, who has become part of the gang to us.

The newest family member to join us this year was a tiny gentleman in his Christmas finery, including a little red sweater vest that could not possibly be any cuter. Our oldest son and his wife brought their baby son over to open presents and then head out to the lights. It’s amazing how someone so small can get such a chokehold on your heart, but he certainly does. When he smiles when he sees us, nothing else in the world matters.

We have seen this lights display so many times, but it was like a brand new experience last night, watching the wonder and amazement in his big, dazzling eyes. He wanted to touch the lights, preferably taste them too, but we wisely didn’t permit that. We took so many pictures that he was probably wondering why we kept stopping when there was so much to see.

I miss when the kids were little, and my husband and I waited until they fell asleep, then quietly transformed the living room into a magical Christmas morning, filling stockings, leaving Santa’s presents around the tree, taking a bite or two out of the cookies left for Santa, leaving the letter from Santa next to the plate. There’s something about viewing Christmas through a child’s eyes that taps into our own memories of that magic, that wonder, the excitement and awe.

When our son and his wife were leaving, our grandson reached a little arm out for my husband for one more good-bye nuzzle. I thought my husband was going to melt. I love watching him dote on the grandbabies, his eyes lighting up as they brew up the next mischief and mayhem they will get into. Someday, having him, our sons, and grandsons all together in one place will be a very noisy adventure, likely with each one trying to outdo the others, and I am not quite certain who the biggest troublemaker will be (but my money is on my husband)!

Off to the kitchen I go: time to play Christmas music and make a mess, bake, get dusted with flour, then settle down for a peaceful evening of watching Christmas movies before we head to bed for the big day.

Merry Christmas!