'Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the house,
The surround sound was blaring
much louder than a mouse.
The stockings were hung
by the chimney with care,
But everyone knew that
the real presents weren't there....
By the time the youngest in the family is 21... almost 22... Christmas becomes a lot more relaxed. There is collaboration on the big presents... the surprises are all a lot smaller. There is less disappointment... "Oh, an electric onion peeler and CD cleaner... all in one!"
My 25-year old son made the Christmas pastries with me this afternoon. He really seems to look forward to doing that... not your traditional male bonding, but we have fun. He also works with the youngest to program the universal remote that has more functions than my computer. Now, after a two-day training session, my wife and I will be able to handle most of the operation of the DVD player, the TV and the satellite TV system on the one remote. That's down from 4 so that's an improvement... as long as our "tech support" is around when we get hopelessly lost.
My oldest got in from Chicago around 1 a.m. with my daughter-in-law. They said "Hi," and immediately walked into the dining room to wrap the presents they would be taking to her parents today. They'll probably come back very late tonight, so we'll see them on Christmas.
My wife is beginning to feel better. I can tell because she is actively giving me directions on everything again. We went to one store this morning to buy some gifts that I had in mind. In and out in 1/2 hour. That was about all she could take in her still weakened condition. That's all I can ever take.
Tomorrow, my brother and his family will join us to exchange gifts and have a huge dinner together. It will all go well... so there will be no posting tomorrow.
Merry Christmas!
