HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Well, the big day is here and more than half gone, and right now, today feels like any other Sunday.

Last nite was our family's big celebration with gift exchange, and it was truly a beautiful nite. I even got a token drunken compliment from my brother's neighbor, who told me, in a somewhat slurred voice, that I was a beautiful woman and one of the finest specimens he has ever seen.

I kid you not. Not sure if I can live up to that compliment, (or believe it either) but hey, beggars can't be choosers, so I'm keepin' it! lol

And my hunch was right. Everyone did really love their gifts. Esp. my littlest niece who, after crazily ripping open bags and boxes, knelt in the center of her piles of things and declared, "Ohhh, thank you so much everybody! I love it all! I really, really do!"

And even if no one else had liked their gifts, seeing the sheer joy and excitement on her face would have more than made up for it.

Afterwards, we all went home -- stuffed bloated messes, bemoaning our lack of self control and over-indulgence, but warm and full and happy and most importantly, grateful for the gift of family and plenty and togetherness that sadly, not everyone gets to enjoy.

Today, I woke up a bit earlier than usual, and so was able to actually read all the newspaper and have breakfast made, eaten and washed up after, bed made and some minor household tasks done, all by noon.

Now, its time to get dressed and go to the parents for dinner. Tomorrow, I take my nieces to a matinee production of the Nutcracker, that is preceded by our traditional Chinese lunch. About six years ago, when I first started taking my oldest niece, I asked her what she wanted for lunch, expecting her to say McDonald's or Chuck E. Cheese. She said chicken and broccoli, and so we went to the local Chinese place.

The following year, when we were leaving her house, she said, "So, we're going for chinese, right?" And a tradition was born.

So for the past six years, on the day after Christmas, I pick them up, we go for Chinese, and then go wait in line so that we can get really good seats for the ballet. Which to my nieces means nothing further back than the 5th row!

When I drop them off early tomorrow evening, and say goodbye and they tell me how much fun they had before running off to the kitchen to heat up their Chinese leftovers, the holiday will truly be over. And I 'll be both relieved and anxious -- waiting to do it all again next year.

Sure, its alot of preparation and expense and extra work, getting ready for this one particular day or two, but the payoff, while it can at times seem fleeting, really does stick with everyone and I realize, when I look back at all the Christmases past, how much the tradition and everything associated with it, really does all mean.