Christmas
It’s hard to believe it’s already the Monday Tuesday after Christmas. It seemed like December went on forever before the holiday arrived. Yet, once the weekend was upon us, it flew by magically. I couldn’t even try to do this magical weekend justice by summarizing it for you here. So, instead, I choose some of my favorite moments.
Sweets and I opened our presents before getting together with family and friends over the weekend. My favorite present from him: a new external flash for my camera.
I’m pretty sure his favorite gift from me was the tickets to see Black Eyed Peas in March. He was impressed with the lengths I’d go through to get the tickets. And is stoked to go see his favorite group in concert.
SoMi was just excited that we weren’t leaving her at home for the weekend. Though, I’m pretty sure she was also excited to get treats from her canine cousins.
Best Natural Sight: Beginning Christmas morning and continuing through the weekend, Chicago got snow. At times, it was big, white, fluffy flakes, floating to the ground. At other times. it was small flakes, driving to the ground in massive gusts of wind. By the end of the weekend, the ground was covered. It was magical. Festive. Wintry. Wonderful.
Best Human Sight: Christmas Eve services. Back story: The pastor who co-officiated our wedding went through an experimental treatment to improve his multiple sclerosis. It involved chemotherapy, stripping his immune system down to nothing and rebuilding it holistically. He left the hospital just after Thanksgiving and while he’s still not at a stage to be hugging and shaking hands with others (for fear of the spread of germs), he was able to lead parts of the Christmas Eve service. I’m not sure I believe in actual miracles, but if I did, I’d classify his marked improvement as a Christmas miracle.
Best Child Photo: One of the grandchildren wrapped sparkly ribbon around her face. She was happy, goofy, comfortable. It was warming to see her running from one adult to another and just having fun in the moment.
Best Adult Photo: [removed]
Best Child Line: [removed]
Best Adult Line: On Christmas day, the tradition is the parents give all the kids (our age) and grandchildren small presents. As this gift exchange was wrapping up, one of the parents was collecting trashed wrapping paper, ribbon, etc. She came up to Sweets and as he was handing her wrapping paper and yarn tied into an ornamental looking bow, she leaned in real close to him and said, “What, you don’t like my tassels?” She immediately stood up, froze in place and bashfully said, “That didn’t come out the way I wanted it to.” It was hilarious. I couldn’t stop laughing. Even better was a few minutes later when Sweets yelled at her across the room, “You have to take your top off.” He meant it in reference to a jar candle she had just received, but given the context of the previous statement, it sent me into round two of fits and giggles.
Best Child Story: [removed]
Overall, it was a great weekend. Sure, some gifts are going to be loved and used and nurtured for years to come while others will find their way into the recycling bin. But, you know what? It’s not about the gifts. It’s about the time we got to spend with family and friends. It’s about reconnecting with people we don’t see very often. It’s the reminder that it really it a magical time of year. And just because we’re no longer children doesn’t mean we can’t find and experience our own kind of magic.
What were some of the bests about your holiday weekend?
December 29th, 2009 at 9:36 am
Beautiful holiday images. Santa with an umbrella is so precious. Glad you, Sweets, Somi and the family had an amazing time.
December 29th, 2009 at 10:10 am
What wonderful Christmas memories. I especially love the one about Hala! Too funny!
December 29th, 2009 at 10:12 am
Snow. I got snow. It was the best present ever.
December 29th, 2009 at 10:26 am
oooh, nice speedlight!! i asked my parents for a cheap fix version -- this lightscoop -- which is a nice stopgap until take the plunge and get a real one like you :-)
December 29th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Sounds like you had a great holiday, Nilsa. Like you, for me its not about the presents (although they are nice and always appreciated), its about being with family and friends laughing, making memories, and just enjoying each others company.
December 29th, 2009 at 11:05 am
your christmas sounds fabulous! so glad you had such a wonderful holiday.
the “best human sight” that you shared was really interesting to me, especially given my personal experience with the subject.
some of the bests about my holiday included lots of downtime with my man, spending time with his family, lots of eating with no worries of calories (now is the time to get back on track!), and a nice train ride home :)
December 29th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Glad you got snow for Christmas. I didn’t do much for Christmas. Santa did deliver 65 degree sunny weather though. I’ll take it.
December 29th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
There is nothing better than a white Christmas! I am so glad you got yours!
I was able to spend Christmas eve with my family and the rest of the weekend with my BF’s family. My sister came with me to my BF’s family farm and it was so great to have her there. It was a great Christmas!
December 29th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Ha ha. I love that you’re admitting some gifts are going straight to recycling ;)
I wish I could have had a celebration with more people, like yours. It feels much more festive! I guess I am just happy that I got to stay in my home for 2 days. I never get to do that :)
December 29th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
My favourite holiday gift was the one I gave my sister. I picked a book for her that she was so excited about she jumped up and down spontaneously. Then she kept sneaking peeks at the back of the book while we were still supposed to be socializing -- that’s how much she couldn’t wait to be reading it. I love successful gifting! The book was a bio of Iggy Pop.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Glad you had a wonderful Christmas with your Sweets.
December 29th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Oops. I clicked submit before I had a chance to post what my Christmas was like. We normally spend time with both my wife’s family and my daughter (who lives with her mom, but I get her on the second half of Christmas day). The weekend was good, as I got to see my sister and her husband as they traveled from Idaho back to Calif.
December 29th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
YAY! That’s the same flash I have -- I love love love it!!! Yay to presents!
December 30th, 2009 at 10:07 am
Sounds like a lovely Christmas! Glad you spent time with wonderful people and had such lovely moments!
December 31st, 2009 at 4:32 am
I like to hear about other family’s traditions. My family has tons and it sounds like your family does too. That’s great SoMi got to come. My mom kept inferring at how great it was without Chico…whatev…
January 4th, 2010 at 3:53 pm
What a great recount. I wish I would have documented my favorite moments, too! So fun to look back on. Glad you had a nice holiday.
January 4th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
you got your snow!