12/24/08

Christmas Eve

Again, it’s been quite a while since my last entry. No real reason. Funny how time slips away isn’t it? One day I look outside and there are fall leaves everywhere and the next, we have 2 feet of snow. Well, it doesn�t happen quite that fast but you get the drift. Speaking of drifts . . . .

As I type this Christmas Eve, there is a heavy snowfall which does not please me only for the traveling factor. I’ll be leaving later today to spend the evening with Pat�s family. Less than 10 miles away but the roads can be bad in a matter of no time during a snow storm. Something I still can�t decide if I thoroughly enjoy in my life or not. The family plan. I like it and I don�t. I�ve been so used to years and years of �alone� during the holidays. This family gathering thing can be just a little too much for me at times. And yet I so appreciate the sense of . . . . belonging? I do and I don�t if that makes sense. As a matter of fact he just called. Among other things, he wanted to thank me for making this a better Christmas for him. He does things like that out of the blue. (am I a lucky girl or what?) I’m not always so deserving, and I’m a little at a loss for words.

Justin and V will be coming over in the early afternoon for a short while to open presents and do a little of my family celebrating. Jarad. My baby. He�s in Rio. As in De Janeiro. Alone. This morning he called me from some internet caf� and we chatted. A couple of months ago I started a project I was going to surprise him with since he and his girlfriend were out of the country this year. I made a slideshow of some old pictures. I thought they’d be watching it together in their apartment in Chile. It wasn’t finished in my opinion, but it was good enough I guess. Today when he called we shared it together. My one and only tube.

We watched it together with perfect timing. He said I made his day. He couldn�t see the tears in my eyes. You don�t want to know your kids are alone during the holidays. She came back to the states for a month. He didn�t have the money. His choice, but still.

Merry Christmas to everyone, and safe travels wherever you are.