Christmas was my mom's favorite holiday.
It was the time of the year where her family was whole again, with her three children returning home at the same time. Me from Seattle, Bonnie from the next town over, and Richard from the Bay Area.
Not only did she get to spend time with her immediate family, but on Christmas Day, she saw, laughed and ate with her brothers and sisters, her nieces and nephews, and her grand-nieces and nephews all in one place. With so many people, one would think Christmas sounds overwhelming, chaotic, and headache-inducing, but not to my mom. She loved every moment of it--because, to my mom, Christmas meant family.
Sadly, my mom isn't here to spend Christmas with us this year or any year thereafter. However, the spirit of Christmas is not lost. My brother and his fiance, Annie, have flew back. Gabe and I have drove back. And my sister, well, lives in the same house, so she's back too. I'm happy too to see my dad has finally embraced my mom's holiday spirit too. (Better late than never, as the saying goes.)
We will be celebrating Christmas Eve with my immediate family, along with Bryan, my mom's god son from LA. My dad is preparing a holiday feast, and then we'll gather by our imaginary Christmas tree to open presents, to bargain, and to laugh. Hopefully, we'll be able to squeeze in a game of mahjong before Santa arrives. Then on Christmas Day, we're off to my mom's side of the family for annual holiday lunch, where 50+ of us are expected to come. Afterward, we head over to my dad's side of the family for dinner, where 20+ of us gather for more food, gifts, and merriment. It will be busy, but festive, nevertheless.
My mom's presence will be missed, but she forever lives in all our hearts as we continue to celebrate together, eat and be merry.
Merry Christmas, Everyone! Wishing you and your family (small or large) much love and laughter.
It was the time of the year where her family was whole again, with her three children returning home at the same time. Me from Seattle, Bonnie from the next town over, and Richard from the Bay Area.
Not only did she get to spend time with her immediate family, but on Christmas Day, she saw, laughed and ate with her brothers and sisters, her nieces and nephews, and her grand-nieces and nephews all in one place. With so many people, one would think Christmas sounds overwhelming, chaotic, and headache-inducing, but not to my mom. She loved every moment of it--because, to my mom, Christmas meant family.
Sadly, my mom isn't here to spend Christmas with us this year or any year thereafter. However, the spirit of Christmas is not lost. My brother and his fiance, Annie, have flew back. Gabe and I have drove back. And my sister, well, lives in the same house, so she's back too. I'm happy too to see my dad has finally embraced my mom's holiday spirit too. (Better late than never, as the saying goes.)
We will be celebrating Christmas Eve with my immediate family, along with Bryan, my mom's god son from LA. My dad is preparing a holiday feast, and then we'll gather by our imaginary Christmas tree to open presents, to bargain, and to laugh. Hopefully, we'll be able to squeeze in a game of mahjong before Santa arrives. Then on Christmas Day, we're off to my mom's side of the family for annual holiday lunch, where 50+ of us are expected to come. Afterward, we head over to my dad's side of the family for dinner, where 20+ of us gather for more food, gifts, and merriment. It will be busy, but festive, nevertheless.
My mom's presence will be missed, but she forever lives in all our hearts as we continue to celebrate together, eat and be merry.
Merry Christmas, Everyone! Wishing you and your family (small or large) much love and laughter.
Comments