For the first time in almost eighteen years, I have been able to reconnect with Christmas. Perhaps working in the retail industry numbed me to the Christmas spirit; maybe a grandchild has renewed my life. It could be that a prolonged period of mourning my parents has finally passed. May be it's all of the healing that has taken place in my very dear family or that I find myself newly in love with my husband. It could be all of the above. I am grateful to have reconnected with old friends and made new ones.
Russell and I hosted a Christmas party for old friends and fellow workers from the VMFA last Saturday night. Everyone brought food and good spirits; Rita baked her famous juicy Cuban empanadas; Ed played carols on the piano and there was lots of singing to usher in the holiday.
Today, one of my co-workers at the museum who couldn't come on Saturday, brought her eight week old puppy, Slim, to visit. Nothing like puppy kisses at Christmas.
I have enjoyed decorating: making the Della Robbia wreath ; hanging the stockings; and three days of decorating the tree. Most of all, I have once again realized that, ultimately, we have nothing if we don't keep our families and friends close: their visits have given us the best Christmas we have had years.
Best, Claire