With family

Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the house
Not a creature was stirring
Not even a mouse.

Or were there creatures stirring?
Let's try this again:

Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the house
Not a creature was folding
Not even my grandmother.


Grandma is staying with us again this weekend. We rotate with the uncles; we get her every third weekend or so. That's one of the things I feel very lucky for this time around: time with grandma.

Grandma has mellowed somewhat through the years. So have we. There is a lot more laughter, a lot fewer unsettled silences and anxious glances between siblings. As much as I had a just the wee-est bit of trepidation over the week that she came to stay with us, I am exceedingly glad that she did. It was a very quiet week, peaceful but happy in the silent companionship of two separate generations that span an entire century's life experiences. We went for little rides. She helped me pick out Chung's birthday present. She's the one who taught me to knit in middle school, and probably my biggest fan when it comes to my current reintroduction into the world of crafting.

Tonight they are playing poker, mom dad Michael and grandma. I am horrible at poker so I sit on the couch and read Better Homes and Gardens, which is OK in this family. Occasionally I hear "Ooooh, I won, I won!" or "I have two pairs!" or "What, the chips are mine?" followed by groans and protestations and hands folded amidst laughter over my grandmother's lack of poker face. She loves it too. She may not exactly know what she's doing [that's why dad is sitting next to her] but she loves it nonetheless.

Every moment that we are alive, it is the happiest moment of somebody's life; the saddest, most painful moment of somebody's life; someone just received the biggest surprise of their life and someone hit rock bottom; someone has lost a loved one and someone else is welcoming a new life into the world.

I am thankful for the many small moments inbetween the few large ones. It is for these that I live. May this holiday season bring you many small treasures -- timeless pearls dropped into the basket of personal history, to be cherished from now until eternity.

My little friend and I wish you a very happy holiday season!