Saturday, December 11, 2010

Christmas 2010, round 1

Today is the day for the big family Christmas celebration on my children's father's side.  It is a huge celebration with my father-in-law's family - his sisters, their kids and their kids.  When everyone shows up, the crowd can easily number 100+.

We used to alternate hosting this fun event with one of my cousins-"in-law" and his family because our houses were the only ones that could accomodate everyone.  While it was some work to get ready for it, it really was no problem.  I actually enjoyed it.  The aunts always helped clean up afterwards so there was never much to do to "recover."  I know I always had a good time!

Some of my fondest (okay, funniest and most laughable) memories include:
*the year S brought the "winning" lottery ticket
*the year S (wth the help of H, P and me) received the candles without wicks as her exchange gift
*the year I bought the Sopranos game and wrapped it like a tuxedo.  REALLY, I bought it for $5!
*the year M had a tissue stuck up his nose and I took a picture of it
*there are many others, but these are the ones that come to mind immediately

Yes, I appreciate the good times had with his family.  They felt like famly to me, treated me like family.  I feel kind of bad about not sending out pictures of the kids this year, but I never went and had them done in the first place.

Looking back, I marvel at how I was able to pull off a 40th birthday celebration and no fewer than 2 family Christmas parties, all hosted at my house, and no one was the wiser.  No one knew that he had a 20-something girlfriend he was banging on the side.  No one knew what I was going through and the emotional torture I was feeling at those moments.  And that's the way I wanted it, just in case he chose to reconcile.  But he didn't and we are where we are.

Have a great time at the party!  Afterall, hat's why you are getting together, right?

May you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  God bless.

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