Tue Jan 11, 2011 12:44 am by ByteSlinger
When you reach a certain age, you discover that it's not what's under the tree or in the boxes that counts - it's who's giving them.
Most of my gifts were functional (read: boring) - pants, tops, socks, a new winter jacket, etc. However, a few nephews and nieces did group together to get me about $200 in gift Visas, which I will be spending on upgrading some hardware (I know, I'm such a geek!)
Christmas is bittersweet for me. On one hand, to see all the kids faces light up when they open their gifts, and to share a big meal with all of your family and friends, well that just about as perfect as it gets.
But then, during quiet breaks, or when you look around the room and see pictures of people who have passed on (my grandparents, who practically raised me, my aunt, my father, my husband...and others) you start to miss them, and you get a lonely feeling inside, even though you're surrounded by an entire crowd. It's easy to get a little angry at life, that you were cheated out of some things, that this isn't the way it should be...
Yet I know that ALL of them, if they were still alive, would say to me in one way or another: "Stop feeling sorry for yourself, Anne! Why ruin a perfectly good Christmas with your pity-party? You know what? We don't want you to die with us - we want you to live FOR US! Do for the family what we can't anymore. And you'll find that in taking care of your family, not only will they feel good, so will you! Besides, nobody likes a grump at Christmas!"
And, of course, they're right. So, I dry up my tears, and I look around and smile, because I have everything I need, right here and right now. I have a family that's (generally) healthy and happy, and we all get along; I have friends and colleagues that I've known for years who have always been there for me; and now, I have all of you here in the EGB, my virtual extended family - a place to share ideas and jokes, have a good time, and get serious when we need to.
Thank you all for being part of the best Christmas present ever - for being my friend.