Holiday Change

This is definitely a different year for me as it pertains to the holiday season. I did not make the 711 mile drive to NY this year as I was overcome with the flu. This drive is a tradition for me – I have been doing it since 1991. I have driven in some of the worst weather (like the time when it was snowing like mad in the midst of Ohio and my wiper broke off and I had to lean over to the passengers side and desperately try to steer my car off the highway, under a bridge, and tie the broken wiper on with a piece of Christmas ribbon until I could make it to a Kmart with a service center) and I have driven in some wonderful snow free 50 degree sunshine. In any event, this year, was not to be. So here I am, in Indiana, hanging out with my other family. Built a nice fire in the woodburner and enjoyed opening gifts this morning. Dinner is in a few hours.

But I must say that I do miss being home in NY. Gearing up to go to Gram & Papa’s house, all the craziness of getting dinner ready, the mayhem of sorting gifts with Sara being the stressed Santa, and seeing all the expressions on the faces of the “new kids” is fun. Of course we always have a fire there too, and it usually ends up snowing at some point. It’s funny how the stuff you miss is not really tangible, but is more intangible – conversations, feelings, sights, smells, sounds… Anyway, my thoughts are definitely towards home right now as I type this, and it is certain that I will head that way come spring.