Our Christmas celebrations are over. We had four Christmas present-giving occasions: the day after Thanksgiving in Decatur with E and N, in Kenosha on the 16th, on the 23rd in Decatur with my brother and sister-in-law, and this morning,Christmas morning, with my parents. Each get together was a little different, but each was nice in its own way. There were lots of thoughtfully chosen presents and delicious food. There was also time with family -- sometimes warm and enjoyable and at other times uncomfortable and awkward. That's how it is with family. At least that's how it is with our family.
I've reached the stage in life (sandwich years) when I can't help but wonder if this might be my last Christmas with one or both of my parents. Two of my cousins just celebrated their fourth Christmas without their mom. I don't want to think of the day when there will be an empty place at the head or the foot of the table that has seen so many Christmas (and other holiday) dinners, going all the way back to my mother's childhood years on the family farm.
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