Sugar and Puppy Dog Tales...: A Full Heart

I don't know if this is true for everyone but I often find holidays to be a bit hectic. Lots of running around, trying to get everyone ready to be in a certain place, at a certain time. Prepping food in advance, trying to insure that the kids don't totally melt down. All the planning that goes into a big occasion.

Any stress is worthwhile for the holidays but STILL! Sometimes, I'm tired before the formal celebrating has even begun.
I don't mean any of that in an ungrateful way...all I am saying is that holidays don't always turn out the way you might envision.

Yesterday, I had a Thanksgiving that was magical, beautiful, simply wonderful. Christmas has a really tough act to follow this year.

I don't know that I've experienced that truly magical feeling for myself in a while. With young children, I have that magical feeling because of the kids but it's different when you have the feeling and it's all your own. It's amazing.

In the holiday rotation, this year was Turkey Day with my side of the family. My brother and his fiance hosted dinner (as they have for the past couple of years). By way of back story, my brother has 3 children from his marriage and then 2 children with his ex-girlfriend. And yes, he also currently has a fiance. His 3 oldest children are 30, 27 and 20...the next two are 13 and 12. I see the younger kids pretty regularly since my brother shares custody.

My oldest niece (Erica) and I have always been close and stay in touch weekly. She has a son who is the same age as my oldest. My next niece, Kelly, and I reconnected around Easter but don't see each other much. My nephew Shane (20)- I can't even remember the last time I saw him in person- it was probably 5 years ago.

It's also been a while since all of my brother's children have been together for anything...let alone a major holiday. There was something really special about having everyone together. I kept looking around at everyone smiling and talking--and I just couldn't believe it! We were all together!! Everyone felt it too because we all kept commenting on it.

It's really hard to put into words--I guess, imagine that someone told you that there really is a Santa...it was that kind of a feeling. I think it was extra special because of my Dad's recent health concerns. I felt a joy for my parents- to have all their grandkids + one great-grandchild together, in the same place, at the same time.

I hope we get to do that again soon...and that we get to do it a bit more often going forward. I know my older nieces and nephew kids have a complicated relationship with my brother. But it was a day that felt so perfect to me.

My heart still feels full!