And it was...is...will be.
With only my two grandsons presents still " 'neath the tree" and soon those will be gone in a flurry of wrapping paper and ribbon, too. This year a month long celebration it seemed. Tea's and brunches. E-mail and snail mail. Visits and Skypes. Phone calls and hugs~ real and virtual. Christmas wishes were whispered and granted. Some arrived completely by surprise. One made me cry.
At the end of the day there are books, and brightly coloured containers of bubble bath and lotions and perfume. Potpourri and candles. Calendars and day-planners. Flowers and a warm fuzzy throw. Not just chocolates, but International Chocolates. Gift cards and picture frames designated for "Grandkids" only. A solid silver "Crest" pitcher ferreted out by my youngest son at a nearby antique shop (with those little feet...so presumably it will come scampering over when you call it) and my "gift to myself" of the lost "much loved teddy" for the year,which arrived on Christmas Eve. It is all a bit overwhelming.
And that's just the STUFF.
The REAL Christmas was, of course, the people. Waking early to all the Merry Christmas Wishes from Family, Friends & Friends who are Now Family. The Tea's and Brunches leading up to today with Loretta,Judi, and Ola and the laughter. A long round about discussion with the owner of the "Tossed Christmas Teddy" on eBay that left us both laughing and "...such a fuss over a tiny bear." A re-connection/reconcilliation with Chuck and Shirley, Julie and Matt, Caitlin and Chloe...because life really is too short. Planning to spend the day with Donna and the boys soon. Tanya going above and beyond the call of duty yesterday when she drove the girls (4 1/2 hrs) to see their Dad and Nicki...their Christmas Wish...and then brought them here so we could share Christmas Eve together. And actually calling today to see if I wanted her to bring me over ham and such. It is the "grands" hugs and kisses and "You are the BEST grandma, Grandma Rose" and their faces when they unwrapped their dolls.
"Oh Grandma...she has pink glasses just like ME!"
And deep down even more than that. Talked to all the boys early this morning. Shared Coffee and Cinnabons with Chris before he and Tina headed out for her grandparents. Chuck and Shirley and Crew phoned from Orlando where they had met up with Matt and Julie and the girls...so we talked for a while. When the phone rang this afternoon I was kind of stunned when Lennon's bio-mom Jill was on the other end. Jill...who was commonly referred to as "Our Ex-Wife" (and that was the term for polite company..okay) for all those years. Earlier in the week she had sent me a parcel. A wonderful book on Route 66 and a same-themed next year's calendar. She knows how much i LOVE The Mother Road and how many many times that all of the boys and I traveled it when they were growing up.
For a moment I was completely blown away when they arrived. Thoughtful. Thought out. It wasn't just the gift. It was the thought behind it. Throughout the years to say our relationship to one another was a little rocky would be an understatement.
Sort of like saying the Titanic took on a little water.
Slowly after Lennon's graduation and then Bill's death we have been cautiously extending the olive branch...an e-mail...a gift basket...a Christmas card...a phone call. Today we sat like old friends on the phone...wishing each other Merry Christmas...discussing the kids...all of them...and Lennon's graduation from college next year...and her health...and my health...and all the good there is in life.
And there is so much good.
So here is to LOVE...and CARING...and FORGIVENESS
(...both ways...as there were a few years we both made each other's lives a Living Hell...and made several lawyers a bit richer...)
When I travel to Maine I am going to stop by Massachusetts and we are going to spend a couple of days visiting with each other...maybe if Lennon is on break he can join us.
So here's to a few tears shed on both our parts this afternoon...and a couple "I'm sorry I was a bitch sometimes"...and "You really did a great job with Lennon" and "Well he is a lucky kid...He has two Moms who love him with all their Heart."
And you know what...2014 is shaping up to be an AMAZING year. And it isn't even here yet!
That whole "Peace on Earth" thing...it starts two people at a time.
(((hugs)))
Wishing Everyone a Merry Christmas!
And My Christmas Wish Come True...All the Grands!
And a photo appearance by Nicki and my "Grand-Bump"
