Merry Christmas

Greetings from Domelandia,
Christmas Day we awoke to an empty house. This wasn't the first Christmas for just the two of us, so it would be OK (or so I thought) because the kids and the grandkids had all been here last weekend. But then the Viking started talking about Christmases Past, like when the Redhead and the Strawberry Blonde daughters would crawl into bed with us and beg us to get up and open presents.

I'd say, "Let me make some coffee first." This comment was met with groans because back then, I had to build a fire to make a cup of coffee.

However, on this Christmas morning, the empty nest bitch descended unexpectedly and created emotional havoc. The Viking looked at me as if I'd lost my mind as I cried. I have wonderful memories, but sometimes I wish things were the way they used to be, with a houseful of kids and the best part of my life in front of me, not behind me.

So, I calmed myself down by making breakfast for me and the Viking. We opened our presents-I got spoiled by the Viking as usual. Then I kept myself busy for the rest of the day, putting stuff into the new pantry.

I adore Christmas, and love to watch ''A Christmas Carol' and 'It's A Wonderful Life' while I'm baking cookies or decorating the tree. Their messages of hope and love and giving to others may seem corny, but they get me where I live. We started a family Christmas tradition years ago by watching the last three Star Wars movies on Christmas Day. I love those movies. I actually sat down to watch the last movie and realized that Yoda's message to Luke is just as meaningful as those in the conventional Christmas movies:

"The Force is all around us. Life breathes it, makes it grow. Its energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you. Remember, a Jedi's strength flows from the Force. But beware--anger, fear, aggression--the Dark Side are they. Once you start down the Dark Path, forever will it dominate your destiny."

Change is inevitable, but "that is the way of things, the way of the Force."

This morning my Mother came to me in a dream. I held her close to my heart, kissed her, told her I loved her.

I think she knew I needed a hug.