It started on Friday when we went to my parents' house for our usual Christmas Eve traditions. Yes, I know it wasn't Christmas Eve, but with a large family - some of whom work shift work - you fit stuff in where and when you can. I was extremely anxious about going and felt like an outsider (or first time guest); I was on the verge of tears for the first hour or so until I loosened up, got the frig over myself, and enjoyed myself. Nick gave me the best gift (and compliment) he's ever given me in his whole life: he was talking about our rocky childhood and said something to the effect that, when stuff was shitty, "Chibi made it all better." That's the very first time he's EVER said anything remotely grateful to me about what we went through.
Saturday we went to see Chebbar's family to celebrate his uncle's birthday. Out-of-town family had arrived, and we had a good time dressing Uncle Mike up in all his "over the hill gear."
Sunday saw us up and out of the house early so we could go back to Nana's to watch Theo and Jake open their gifts. Jake is 3 1/2 and just figuring out the concept of "MINE!" It was a riot. At one point, he took an interest in my iPod, so I was showing him how to take pictures. He spent a good hour, the rest of the battery life, and over THREE! HUNDRED! pictures. It was freaking adorable watching him look at the screen, line up his shot, and tap the button a zillion times before he'd excitedly squeal "I gotchooooo!" We seriously need to find the kid a camera for his birthday.
We were there for fifteen hours. FIFTEEN! Needless to say, we didn't make it back to my parents' to open gifts that night.
We ended up going back there on Monday to do the gift thing. I'm not even sure how the conversation turned that way (I think maybe Chebbar started talking about his flighty mother?), but I had the opportunity to speak my piece and get shit off my chest. I can't even BEGIN to tell you how good it felt to unburden myself (never mind how relieving it was to have her very emphatically state that she would NEVER walk away from me).
Four days of Christmas, but all in all pretty damned good. Although I am glad it's over for another 362 days (you're welcome... *evil grin*).
How were your holidays? Are you packed up and over 'em, or are you having difficulty packing it all away for another year like I am?
It sounds like you had a pretty good Christmas :) that's great & hopefully it rolls into a great new year.
ReplyDeletepacked up and done. at least, until next year.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell you how happy I am that you were able to talk through things, and say what needed to be said, and hear what needed to be heard. That is huge!
ReplyDeleteYES! So happy for you.
ReplyDeleteYou are RIGHT ON THE MONEY with the 'now that it's over' thang. If there was a contest for who won the money, it would be in your pocket..WOOT!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy your brother acknowledged all of the things you've done for your family over the years...and I'm so freakin' proud of you talking to your mom. There really aren't words. I feel like you've just moved so far forward in your journey of life that it's amazing and there are just oodles of good things waiting to find you around the corner.
I am so happy that you were able to speak your mind and that you got validation. Assertiveness ftw!
ReplyDeleteSounds like Santa brought you the gift of calmness and sanity :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to get things out there with your family.