Monday, December 29, 2008

Reminiscing

I got home pretty late last night - around 9 p.m. - and when you have to unload all the Christmas presents and various other stuff, plus get ready for work the next day, that's late. And after 5 hours of driving, well, let's just say I was ready for bed.

But my best friend from college had planned to stay the night with me, so I was looking forward to visiting with her, even though I knew we wouldn't have much time. She arrived about 30 minutes after I got home and even though both of us were tired and the clock kept ticking later and later, we laughed and laughed, caught up on each other's lives (she's getting married next year!) and even looked through some old college photos.

We have a great relationship - sometimes it's a few months before we're in contact with each other, but it doesn't matter at all. We pick up right where we left off. That's what best friends are for!

I had plenty of time to reminisce with my family, too. Whenever we get together, inevitably the old stories come out. I love listening to them, and I swear that next time I'm going to hide a recorder somewhere so I can eventually write them down. We ate lots of food through the few days I was there - butterball soup (pictures forthcoming), homemade raviolis, chicken parmesan, and incredibly yummy cookies and cake. Oh my. I didn't think about my diet when I was home - but you can be sure I'll be hitting the gym hard in the upcoming weeks.

This Christmas was a bit harder since it was my first Christmas without my grandfather. His passing in August was incredibly hard on all of us, but I firmly believe that his spirit was there with us during the celebration. On Christmas Eve, as I looked around at all of my cousins and my own family, I couldn't help but marvel at how our family has grown. And it all started with my beloved grandparents.

8 comments:

  1. You got to experience (and still are, with the friend) the truest meaning of Christmas, friend. Hope you get more of it in 09!

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  2. It is always hard to celebrate something after losing someone close.

    Glad you had a good time though.

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  3. I've got a friend from high school who I rarely see now, but we do catch up with Christmas cards each year, and just reading her words erases the years between us. How nice that you got to visit with your friend in person!

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  4. I'm glad you had a relaxing Christmas season and a good visit with your friend.

    I hope 2009 is great for you!

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  5. Amen to what Angie said!

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  6. Angie - It was indeed quite wonderful to have the time with family and the visit with my friend. :-)

    Debs - I just tried not to think about my grandfather that night because I knew I would break down.

    Joanne - Yes - visiting in person is so much better than over the phone or via email!

    Holly - It was a great Christmas. :-)

    Janna - I agree!

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  7. Awww Sorry to hear about your gandpa... those first holidays are the worst without your loved ones. It sounds like you have an awesome friend--and I'm the same way with family.. I try and remember all the funny silly stories. One day I hope to have them all written down!

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  8. I love those pictures! Just love them. The one of your grandfather could be a book cover. Do you know where it was taken? Nebraska? The car peeking into the corner is a nice touch. Happy New Year! (I'm going to avoid even thinking about that butterball soup....looks like the kind of thing I could easily get addicted to.)

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