My Family Christmas

It’s been 16 years since they sat around the same table together. One coming out of a troubled marriage, one lost among her own stress of life, one other with a missing granddaughter and the last one hiding behind his built up walls afraid of them falling brick by brick. Bridges had been burned but lessons were learned. Sitting there among them was the woman who raised them with all her love and adoration. She silently sat there with her own troubles, but thankful for every page turned. As they sat there encircled amongst each other there was an undeniable warmth permeating the room as the five of them sat sipping their drinks….a tangible intimacy in which they all were reveling in. It was something they had been missing for sometime now. As their grandson, nephew and son I sat there taking it all in.

Over the last 16 years people had come and gone. Some marriages dissolved, children grew, homes had expanded and wrinkles formed upon the surface of their family. Around that table hung the epicenter of their former life together.

With the presents already opened Christmas had nearly come and gone. With a few hours of daylight left I sat in the stuffed recliner pondering the meaning of family and the tradition of coming together to share memories, laughter, heartache and tears….plenty of which surfaced this holiday season.

Eventually every suitcase had been repacked and hugs were freely given with each family member heading back to their homes ready to start the New Year. The future suddenly became magnificently uncertain as it seemed to be the last time for another few years before everyone would step back into this warm home again. It was a great Christmas….one full of truth, warmth and love.