A Most Different Christmas

My Christmases have never been the same since I have been with Joan. In contrast to my miserable Christmases when I growing up, Joan always had a huge family affair that went all day and night. The major meal was in the early afternoon and then towards evening, extended family came by. There were some gender differences in that the women generally were able to catch up on family news while the men tended to play cards.  Christmas was a very happy time.

During our life together, Joan has wanted us to celebrate the holiday with everyone present. Thus far, it has worked out perfectly. One way or another, the entire family has made it to our house for Christmas. Based on where people have been living, the logistics have been somewhat difficult. The effort has always been appreciated.

This year is very different. We are making our “house” in Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. The only way that we could ensure everyone could be present is if we made it possible my renting a condo for four days. In this way, Neal and Brooke who have enough concerns about delivering a baby will not be put under pressure with us being present. At the same time, assuming she is not in the hospital, they will be relatively easily be able to join us for evening meals. Sean and Jane made plans to take the train from Albany where they spend the days before Christmas and Christmas Eve with her family to New York City. And Sara and Nien-he will come from Cambridge.

It all seems too good to be true that we will all be together again, even if the circumstances are so different.  While the plans are beautiful, we have to patient with reality. The baby will come when the baby wants. And, as it turns out, Jane’s Dad has been hospitalized. 

However it all works out, it has been a family plan. Our best effort to make it possible for us all to share a day together may be thwarted by reality, but it is great to think that we all want to be together to have a chance to hold our newest family member. He/she will be loved to pieces from the very moment he/she emerged to deal with the fact that he/she is a member of our family.