Christmas 2025 was a wonderful time, a time of family, food and presence – pun intended. All my children came home or came to my home, with their children, and we had a wonderful time. We spent Christmas evening and the following day together. We ate, we opened presents, we played games, we ate ( haha), and we laughed. I felt different this Christmas than I did last Christmas. I missed Billy, but it was somehow more of an ache, not a knife thrust. I felt like I really tried to be completely present, to enjoy every moment with my family, to feast my eyes upon them, to listen to what they had to say, to find so much joy in the children and grandchildren that are at least partially here because of the love Billy and I shared. I pondered the mystery and magic of the birth of Christ, the depth of the love of God and His goodness. I felt blessed beyond measure and humbled by how much I am loved by my God and my family.

And the family time continued past Christmas. The Sunday after Christmas, my two sisters who live in the same town that I do, Cindy and Diana, and I flew to Texas to spend time with our sister Sharon. Sharon is a recent breast cancer survivor receiving maintenance treatment. She is doing well. I rented a house for us to stay in through VRBO. This house was crazy! It was filled with antiques, knick-knacks, and every kind of thing that you ever saw in your grandparents house. I and my three sisters had not all been together since our mother’s funeral in 2016. Our mother died on December 15, 2016, so that particular Christmas following her death was not a very happy one. And our reunion was not a happy one. My niece called me last summer and said that her mother, Sharon, had confided to her that she really needed to see her sisters. So we decided that we would go out and visit her.

I’m so glad we did! We had a fantastic time. My sister Sharon’s youngest daughter, Sarah, cooked for us and pampered us while we stayed at the house. Both of Sharon’s daughters and their families came to visit, and it was so wonderful to see the girls, their husbands and their children. Everyone is doing so well.

Sharon’s husband was in the hospital during our visit. He had pneumonia and fluid in his lungs. He was in the ICU and was intubated and under heavy sedation, so she came to stay with us during each day for as long as she felt like she could. When it was time for us to leave to fly home, they had taken her husband off of the sedation and intubation and he was breathing on his own. It looked like he was going to be all right.

We played games and talked, and laughed and giggled like we did when we were young. It was a wonderful visit, a time that we will all remember, and treasure. Hopefully we will not wait another 9 years before we have a reunion like this again. After a very competitive Euchre game and so much teasing and laughing, Sharon said, “This is just like old times.” She was so right! It was as though no time had passed. I could see how happy she was, how happy we all were, to be together again.

Since the house was so very unique and fun, I am including pictures in this post of some of the rooms.

I have been extra busy the last month or so, and have not been reading and commenting on your posts as I typically do. But I am sending lots of love to you all, and wishes for each one of you to have the happiest New Year!