Christmas by phone

OK, we made it through. Just the two of us...not so bad. We really, really missed having the "kids" home, the mounds of wrapping paper to climb over on the living room floor, the early morning wake up, and the Raffi's Christmas Music we listen to every year, but we made the best of it. It was a great opportunity to really focus on "the reason for the season."We attended the Children's Mass in the evening, which was the sweetest thing, then we came home watched "It's a Wonderful Life" on TV. Later we went to the amazingly beautiful Cathedral in Memphis for Midnight Mass. The music was spectacular, and the Church was packed to the rafters with people from all faiths. It really was a Holy night. I'm not used to going to bed at 3AM, however, and was sure I'd sleep in 'til noon (part of the strategy for handling my kids not being home), but no, I woke up at 7AM! We spent much of the day talking to our kids on the phone as they opened their gifts, which was fun. We got them each a Garmin Nuvi navigational system (which should help them find home next year :) They might be adults and all gorwn up but still get stockings every year, which are packed to the brim with silly, and serious gifts. I love that they still treasure the traditions they grew up with. So here's to Christmas...may we always treasure old traditions and keep making new ones!