We visited Grammie on Christmas eve. It was both nice to be in a small group and depressing. Christmas is Grammie's holiday. She thinks she's one of Santa's elves. The whole family should be there. It should be loud. We should all be giddy about the new babies.
Instead it was just us and Grammie opening presents and having lunch. It was nice, but it wasn't Christmas.
The next morning seemed like a normal Christmas. The girls and Holly were awash in wrapping paper and boxes. We explained to the girls that there would be fewer boxes because their presents were more expensive. We ended up with a few more boxes than we planned. I think of these as pandemic presents. Christmas wasn't going to be normal, but it would still be memorable.
We spent a quiet day at home in our jammies. The girls set-up and played their PS4 most of the day. Daddy and I watch parades and games. We snacked and drank hot cocoa bombs.
It was a nice Christmas, but I hope not to do it again. Next year I want to be with my mom and great-nieces on Christmas Day. I want to go to our annual gathering with Daddy's family.
We're all healthy and safe, so I don't really have anything to complain about. I didn't mind not having Easter or Mother's Day or Father's Day or Thanksgiving in the usual way. Christmas, though, hurts.
My fingers are crossed that we'll have a vaccine soon and more regular gathering will resume. Until then, we'll snuggle on the couch with our hot cocoa and be grateful that we have a family to miss.
