Eighteen years without her. This was the first Christmas that actually felt like Christmas. A holiday that actually felt normal.
I looked around and saw my father, my sister, and my brother carrying on traditions set before her death on Christmas Day.
We had a 48-hour holiday this year.
Christmas Eve breakfast of Dad's famous French toast and sausage then off to an early movie. Then an unexpected invite to come over for Mom's famous egg and green chile dish lovingly recreated by my beloved sister on Christmas Day. For the first time in eighteen years, I had somewhere to go on Christmas morning. My morning was spent laughing with my sister, my brother, two nephews, my niece, and their new rescue dog Katey.
Looking at Christmas lights, seeing more movies, and making the rounds to the cousins in between.
Seemed like old times just with a new twist. Mom long gone but there in so much spirit ~ so much courage ~ to carry on without her.
Today, I mist up in her memory on the last day of the year and thank the woman who gave birth to me. For making me who I am today. I thank her and Dad for creating such wonderful Christmas traditions than manage to remain even with new ones added.
"Mom would have liked this," we always say.
Mom would have liked us having fun on Christmas.
Cameron posted a picture of us on Facebook with the caption "Christmastime is the best time." Yes, Cameron, Christmastime is the best time.
Christmastime is the best time
