Faithful readers know that I have struggled being out of contact with my brother for the better part of the past decade. A few months ago, he emailed me. The emails turned into texts. The texts turned into phone calls and I saw him for the first time and met my two youngest nephews shortly after Mom came home from rehab after her big surgery. When my 3 year old nephew walked in, handed me a turkey made from a pine cone and said, "I made this for you, Aunt Messy", I was in shock. He acted like he had just seen me last Tuesday. Truly amazing.
So I really didn't think the next event would happen - this early Christmas celebration. I was so suspicious it was real that I said we have to photograph it. So my sister-in-law (yep, finally got to meet her!) brought the camera and tripod and we now photographic proof thanks to the above family portrait.
I don't know why he reached out. I still don't know what happened to cause him not to talk to me. But what I do know, true to my word in earlier blogs, he has been accepted with open minds, open hearts and a hint of trepidation. You can't blame me for that, can you?
It has been an incredible holiday season for me so far. I have been blessed with friends, family and fun:
- Early Christmas with the family - including Zoo Lights with brother, sister-in-law, niece and 3 nephews
- Cookie swap with a new group of gal pals - including an early baking date with a great friend
- Shrek the Halls with my niece, nephew and their mom
- Dave Matthews in concert with T
- Wonderful birthday date for my special day - and don't forget my Jimmy Choos!
- Annual Christmas shopping and breakfast with Dad
- Christmas with my bestie and her family, parents and aunt and uncle yesterday - including awesome Christmas ornaments made by my beautiful goddaughters and a surprise from my bestie - recipe cards written by my grandmother that she gave Mel for her bridal shower. She copied them and gave me the originals. Yes, of course I cried. You would have too!
- Still to come - Shrek the Halls and dinner double date with friends
- National Christmas tree with T
- Christmas day with my family
Can you believe all of this? I can't! 2012 is ending beautifully for me and I can't wait to see what 2013 holds.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours. I wish you health, happiness and blessings in the New Year.