Today was my family Christmas. I got together with my Dad, step-Mom, siblings, spouses, and the kids. My aunt and uncle joined us too this year. Notably missing was our Mom, who yes, always joined us, even when my step-Dad was alive – he came too.

Our parents always made the effort to get along, even though we were 13, 16, and 20 when they separated (older when their divorce was finalized). We had family Christmases all along, celebrated milestone birthdays, weddings – they set their shit aside – despite the hurt – for us.

That’s one of the things I love about my family. The fact that we can set our shit aside and love one another anyway. For the greater good. For the betterment of the family and the people in it. We all do it, we’ve all done it.

More specifically, I was talking to one of the mother’s in my yoga training who was expressing her condolences about my Mom. I was speaking to how my son didn’t have any super ‘grandmotherly’ grandma’s left, as my mother-in-law had passed too. But he had his Mémère (French for Grandma), who was more likely to take him to the bar drinking. Which is fabulous. She owns who she is and makes no apologies. I love that about her!

My younger brother is smart, funny, and cares about everyone so much. He has strong opinions about things and has spent a lot of his life working in corrections and while that life had twisted and jaded his counterparts, he is still the sweet, compassionate boy I’ve always known. We can go months without speaking and sit down and pick up like we saw each other last week.

It probably surprises no one that outside of my son, my niece is probably my second favourite human on the planet. Why? Well, out of nowhere today, she mentions a Christmas gift we got her when she was 3! She is 25!! I spoke about her accident in my Memories series, and that year, her one wish was a ‘lizard that walked and talked’. So, I did what any aunty would do. Scoured the 2003 internet until I found something. We are talking pre-Amazon. I was not letting that little girl down. Muy Loco was a hit! She is a tough cookie, but she’s thoughtful and generous.

My nephew is another favourite person. He is the youngest old person I know. I mean that in the sense that he is so incredibly thoughtful, considerate, and well mannered, you’d think he was either brought up in an entirely different time or much older than his 21 years. He is the person who always asks how you are doing and actually means it and listens to your answer.

I was not looking forward to today at all. Christmas doesn’t feel like Christmas. But I made it through today and although I was mentally (and physically) exhausted by the end of it, maybe that had more to do with me getting up at 6am to bake, wrap, bake some more, and get ready.

I can report that I made it through today and it was alright. My sister and I had one cry in the kitchen with our Dad but we did okay. I did okay. I didn’t think much about what I was missing, and maybe that was the key for today. I am thankful to my Dad & step-Mom for hosting – the meat pie was delicious. ❤

I love my crazy family, and I am thankful we were able to share today.

PS I didn’t take a single picture and did not, in fact, look at my phone most of the day. So, I can’t even share a picture of my merry band of monkeys.