Our Gauntner Christmas
Eve 2014 is over. It took a lot of preparation for only a few hours of
celebration. I look in the garage at my over flowing trash cans filled with all
the black bags stuffed with discarded plates, cups, utensils, bottles, cans,
wrapping paper, and boxes. There is a number of filled garbage bags in my
kitchen that I still need to take out to the garage. There is going to be a lot
to haul out on garbage day.
Now, I am just sitting
in my living room, alone, enjoying looking at my decorated Christmas tree and
remembering Christmas Eve. All of my children, except my oldest daughter and
her husband, were here to celebrate. But I was surrounded by my other eight
children, their spouses, significant others and their families, along with some
friends, and my 7th, unofficially, adopted son, who was here
celebrating with us. The total number climbed to around 41 people.
When it was time to
open our presents we started with the 20 grandchildren, who were hyped up on
sugar, Christmas joy, and anticipation. The decibel level was high. The
excitement was contagious. This year, I actually bought my grandchildren
exactly what they asked for. It was fun watching them open their gifts and seeing
their reaction. The excitement was high for the Shopkins, Pokeman cards, Barbie
dolls and clothes, Monster High dolls, Princess Sofia and Anna dolls.
Later, I would receive
a picture of my two-year-old grandson, asleep, clutching his Captain
America shield. I also received a picture of my granddaughter holding her Anna
doll, while wearing the exact same dress, with a big smile plastered across her
face!
As the quietness
swirled around me in my living room with the down moment, I thought about what
I was grateful for…my children, grandchildren, my son who came in from Philly,
and hugged me after he opened his presents, the wooden cube with four of my
grandchildren’s photos, the totally awesome throwback hoodie form the 80s
Cleveland Browns, Kardiac Kids years, and the hand wooden gift that my grandson
made for me with the “I love Grandma who is #1 awesome.”
Christmas Eve, 2014 is
over but not the memories.
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