It shall be quiet this morning when I wake up. My faithful canine companion, Sam, who likely will end up back in bed with Margaret, will get up with me. She will stretch the night's sleep out of her bones and then head out the back door, down the porch steps, and into the yard. Picking up the faint scent of rabbits and deer who have long since vacated the premises, she shall gambol about the yard, endearing herself and us alike to our neighbors by barking once, twice, or three times, before finding the perfect spot for her morning "constitutional". Her bladder made gladder, she will bound back up the steps, pausing for a brief moment to remind herself that coffee is my breakfast of choice, not hers, and then heading back down the hall and to the warmth of our bed.
Suzanne and Ryan's home here in New Jersey and Jess and Rob's two-thirds of the way across the continent shall be filled this morning with the joyous noise of Christmas. Three of the five grandchildren are old enough now to embrace Christmas, which makes the charcoal briquet playing the part of my heart very happy. At some point later today, the New Jersey grandkids (and their mom and dad) will be in our home, filling it with Christmas's spirit. We shall not be in the same place as the Colorado branch office of the family business. Technology shall enable us to spend a bit of face time with Princess Abigail and her baby sister.
This morning, once Margaret and Joe awaken, the three of us will have breakfast and then spend a bit of time opening presents. We shall at some point toast our good fortune. 2020 has been a hellacious year. Yet, through today, the worst of it has not yet breached the four walls of our home. My children remain safe and well as do my grandchildren. Those of us who work outside of the home have been able to earn our daily bread without interruption.
Again, this year I saw fit to ask Santa for absolutely nothing for Christmas. And once again, this year everything I need is right where I need it, which is exactly where it always is. Where it has always been.
Where I hope it shall always be.
Merry Christmas.
-AK
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