Normally, I try to send Merry Christmas greetings to the people in my life. This year has been hectic and dramatic beyond any of our imaginations with circumstances and situations outside of our controls. So needless to say, personal Merry Christmas messages have not been a priority.
Despite all the challenges, Ricardo and I committed early on to doing what we could to make this Christmas memorable for our loved ones: simply because we love them. The only way to describe my a sentiments is that "my cup over flows." I think Ricardo and I are blessed with incredible parents who have taught us the value of family. Parents who sacrifice and have sacrificed to give us a better life than they were afforded. They built on the knowledge bestowed to them by their parents and have added to it their own. I know we will do the same with our own children one day.
I think this Christmas was different for us for a number of reasons and we realized early on that we'd need to put our own feelings and sentiments aside for the benefit of those we love so dearly.
In the end, we had a great time and got some much needed family time. Or at least I know that I did! I'm sure Ricardo would agree. Just that our families as a whole have and are facing some tough situations.
My sister is dealing on a regular basis with the medical care of y brother-in-law an jut when we think relief has been provided something happens and we find the situation has taken two steps back.
It's hard to watch your loved ones endure that kind of disappointment. I pray for relief often. I can see my sisters sustaining grace is her beautiful, innocent boys. Oh they can be a handful indeed, are rowdy and rambunctious but they are every bit sweet and hilarious.
Today they ganged up on one of their cats, Pepper. They brought her over and after almost squeezing her guts out and laughing over my protests to leave her alone, I managed to pin them down long enlighten to yell: "Pepper, RUN!"
The boys escaped my grip and scamper off. Soon I heard the youngest tell the oldest, "you go that way and I'll go this way! Then we'll twap her!"
So they come running into the living room and I grabbed them both giving Pepper enough time to escape the room. So the run behind the sofa and Tim says to Peter "I got PEPPER"!
They both fall to the ground behind the couch at my dad's feet and he stares down. To my dad I say, "free the cat!" He looks up laughing and says she's gone! The boys get partially up enough where I see they have their arms wrapped around each and the youngest says, "no I got Pepper!" And smacks the older on the back. They're back on the floor wrestling when I realize they've captured each other! So Papa to the rescue to split up the impromptu wrestling match before a WWE match could ensue!
We attempted to make cake pops but partially into the decorating I realized they were just interested in eating the cake pops! And the decorating was a ploy to get close enough to eat them! I should've known better.
But all those things are why I love them so!
Christmas was good to us this year and while its over all to soon. I was definitely glad to spend time with my family!
Tomorrow I return to a partial week of work...that is a topic for another post. Not to mention, Ricardo and I celebrate three years together next week!
Hoping you had a great Christmas! Hold tight your loved ones life is not guaranteed!
This has been an incredible, emotional year.
