Home for Christmas

When Kathy left town, country and continent on the very day we returned from our honeymoon, heartsick became my predominant form of raiment, time a most merciless enemy. Lesotho called, and she had to answer, but I will be damned if I felt that it was right that she had to go so soon.

By the time she returned, we had spent more of our married life apart than together. And we had a weekend planned full. Then came the snow. Such snow as I have not seen since I left behind my beloved Upstate New York winters.












We were given the gift of a snowbound weekend, immediately preceding the holiday, during which we were able to begin creating a home for Christmas, and to celebrate our great fortune in having found each other.


























We were blessed with an appreciation for what we have, what we share. We listened to hours and hours of Christmas music (which I really enjoy though that surprises any who do not know me), wrapped gifts, remembered Christmas traditions - and even began some of our own. Kathy, of course, makes the perfect Christmas Elf, beautiful and mischievous in just the right measure.

And we so loved our Christmas tree, our first together, which we found rather randomly on the roadside, and purchased from the friendliest man who ever sold Christmas trees out of a parking lot.

Not all we had planned that weekend fell to the snow, though. That Sunday evening, our neighborhood held a progressive holiday party - it's a great little community we have on our street, diverse, friendly, giving, warm and kind. Kathy and I hosted the dessert portion of the festivities (for which Kathy made candy cane cookies and I made a vegan chocolate peanut butter pie).


On Christmas Day, we began with attending mass at the local Franciscan Friars' monastery. Kathy is Catholic. I am not. It was Christmas, though, and it seemed the right thing to do, as I knew it meant a lot to her, and I do like the place itself. The space that the brothers have there is really quite spectacular, and when we entered, one of them was playing a flute in a most splendidly sweet and melodious fashion.


Later, my sister, Joanne, and our dear friend Dahlia (who officiated at our wedding) joined us. We laughed. We ate. We napped. We called and Skyped family. We even opened some gifts.




















All in all, Christmas was exactly what I had needed it to be. I feel blessed by my family and friends. And sharing Christmas with Kathy was magical. Here's to many more wondrous Christmases with my wife...