On Christmas Eve, we gathered at home, and our son Clark joined us in the festivities. Oh boy, did we indulge! We ate, we drank, and we might have gone a tad overboard. But hey, it's the holidays, right? And then came the moment we had all been waiting for—the gift exchange! Wrapping paper flew, and laughter filled the room as we unveiled our surprises. It was a special moment, one that will be treasured.
Christmas Day called for our usual buffet outing. With just the three of us, going out was easier and
spared us from spending the entire day in the kitchen and cleaning up afterward. Plus, having Clark's girlfriend join us made it an even more delightful dinner. We laughed, shared stories, and savored the delicious flavors of the season.
Back at home, we stumbled upon a new game called Ranson Notes. It was easy to understand and provided us with hours of entertainment. We immersed ourselves in friendly competition, creating memories that will bring smiles to our faces for years to come.
Amidst the holiday cheer, there was a tinge of sadness. Neither my sister nor I could make it to Kansas for the holiday, leaving our mom to spend it alone. It weighed heavily on our hearts, but we did what we could to make it special, showering her with love through phone calls and messages. Hopefully, next year, if circumstances allow, we'll all be able to come together and celebrate as a family.
Today, or what would have been his birthday, I'm reminded of someone dear who left us almost three years ago. Clark reached out with a heartfelt message about missing his grandfather, and it resonated deeply with me. Thoughts of our loved one filled my mind throughout the day. Pop, you're always in our thoughts, and we miss you dearly.
But there's another piece of our hearts that's far away—our son Eric, his wife Shannon, and our grandkids Aemon and Lochlan. It's been over 10 long months since we last saw them, and truth be told, we're not sure when we'll be reunited. Papa took on the task of shopping for the little ones this year, trying his best to stay hip with what's cool amongst the younger crowd (well, the 2 and 4-year-olds, that is!). We were lucky enough to have a couple of FaceTime calls and receive some precious pictures. Oh, how we long to be with them during the holidays! But we understand that life takes its own course, and sometimes we have to wait a little longer. Maybe next year will bring us all together again.
As we bid farewell to this holiday season, let's hold onto the hope of brighter days, where we can embrace our loved ones once more. Though distance can be tough, the love we share transcends any physical barriers. Until then, let's cherish the memories we have, and eagerly anticipate the moments yet to come. Here's to a future filled with reunions, laughter, and endless joy.
