Christmas Eve my SIL and I went to dinner and for a few drinks at the casino. It was fun and filled in an evenin g which could have been a melancholy one as my kids were with H for the night.
The kids were back just before our visitors and we were able to share our gifts together then. Shortly after my family arrived. We had such a wonderful time together. WE had great food, drinks and plenty of laughter. It was a lovely, relaxing time.
We tried something new with our adult gift giving this year; we all have everything and so the gift giving is really just a token aspect of the Christmas ritual. Each person received 3 gifts....one beginning with letter J, O, Y. Ea gift had to be less than $10. It was fun... and people still received personalised gifts... the plant, Jester's Joy for the gardener, the organic chocolate for the environmentalist, the photo frame for You and Yours for the photographer.
Lots of food and drink- Prawns and oysters to be Aussie with great wines, a huge roast and plum pudding in dedication to our British roots and some French champagne.
Late afternoon we went in the pool and played volley ball. My brother made up some MIdori Splice cocktails and we sipped those as the sun went down(and the mozzies came out).
Late in the night as I climbed into bed I reflected on the fact that for the first time ever I hadn't had any Christmas contact with H. Strangely, I felt at peace with this,,,there was no expectation of it anyway. However, calls, texts and emails from my family and friends gave me great joy and helped me recognise that I am blessed with so many wonderful family and friends. Life has been painful over the past five years. It can only get better from here on in.
My family is about to arrive again for Boxing Day 'leftovers,' another swim, a few more drinks and a rowdy and well contested game of Trivial Pursuit. I can't wait!
