A Change in the Air

Today was our sibling dinner for Christmas. This has for years been hosted by my sister SuZQ. I've posted some piks from those fancy dinners in time's past. Her house breathes Christmas cheer and the meal is always four star. Well this year, when talk of Christmas rolled round, I confessed to her that I just didn't think I could manage it this year. One sibling wouldn't be coming to any more Christmas dinners because she can't, and one won't, well because he chooses not to do so.

It seemed a little lopsided on the heartbreak side. She wasn't willing to abandon it entirely.

She found a B&B in a town nearby and we met today for brunch. I didn't really know how it would go.

After a fabulous show by my school kids last Wednesday, I fell ill with something foul. Debilitating headache for twelve hours, followed by twelve hours of raging fever and rolling stomach and believing my bone were being pulled out. Then, just weak and goopy.

So, today I was just so very grateful to feel better, and I headed to the brunch in an okay frame of mind.

The house was lovely and the brunch was very tasty. Well, it did not compare to SuZQ's fare by any means, but was very fine.

We again lit a candle in memory of Kaye and shared funny stories and sweet ones. Usually we have a few gifts. Handy Man was busy all fall on special gifts, but I can't show you a picture, because a couple of folk have yet to receive theirs. A little bit of Christmassy goodness wrapped in pretty bags, boxes and bows was passed about.

No one was expecting gifts from Pete. We know that Pete has had all he could manage the last three years without adding doodad buying to the list. We were just glad he had the wherewithal to show, forget gifts.

When it was all said and done, he pulled out this little Walmart bag and said he had a gift for us. He reminded us that Kaye always loved coats and enjoyed having a nice pin for her coat. He then laid out all of her coat pins and invited us to choose one we'd enjoy wearing on our coat, or for my brother, to hang on his Christmas tree. Oh, so sweet. The picture above is the one I picked.

This grief thing, so strange. Such sadness over who is missing, such an increased awareness and appreciation of who is there.

Thanks SuZQ for the gift of sweet fellowship, laughs, memories and tears. Thanks too, to each of you who brought your smiles, hugs and mostly for your presence.