SPARKLY SPECIAL SUNDAY

Today was a beautiful Sunday. It was cold, but the sun felt so good on my face as I did a few errands. Christmas is two days away, and I am getting more than a little excited!

When I was younger, the feeling in my soul often transported me back to when I was a little girl wondering if Santa read my Christmas list.  But now, the excitement I feel is knowing that my family will be coming to spend time with me.  I always have and probably will go just a tad overboard with unique gifts, and a special dinner for them.  It’s okay.

They are all hardworking adults with families of their own, but on Christmas, they belong to me. From the time they walk through the front door to the time they leave, it is as if they were little, in awe of the sparkly tree, jumping up and down, waiting anxiously for their gifts to be handed out.  I love and hold on to that precious time for the whole day.

 But before gifts, giggling, and holiday paper flying throughout the living room, dinner must be served. It always amazes me how quickly bowls are filled and carried into the dining room, grace is said, and the eating begins. Now I must say, that my family has grown and continues to grow. Which means that not everyone can sit around the table.  Some will eat in the TV room, and some will eat in the dining room.

It might sound strange but I love seeing the bowls passing, the spoons scooping their favorites onto their plates, the conversations, and hearing, ” Mom, you outdid yourself. Everything is delicious!”  The echo of their voices will permeate in my heart.

  I play Mrs. Claus on Christmas day. I don’t wear a costume, but the premise is there each time I call out, ” Is there a Lewis here? or Is there a Kelsey here?”

 I love to mix up all the gifts then pick them randomly and start, ” Is there..”   My biggest thrill is not what I put in the boxes with the color sparkly paper adorning it but seeing the excitement in their eyes wondering who will be called next.

 Sometimes, my parlor looks like an explosion in a mattress factory! However,  I wouldn’t have it any other way.  It’s pure happiness for me. Besides, everybody helps to clean up.

 Soon like the sand that flows through an hourglass, the day is over, gifts are collected and carried, to the cars, hugs all around, along with many, ” I love you!  Thanks for everything! We’ll talk soon.” Then the hands waving, as they get into their cars, engines starting, cars move slowly, then a little faster, disappearing at the corner leaving me with a hint of sadness.  However, the laughter that echoes as I walk through the rooms, remembering where each sat, the sound of their voices, and the happiness as they opened each gift are cemented in my heart.  I can visit those memories anytime I want. So, on this Sparkly Special Sunday, I look forward to Tuesday, when cars will pull up, voices will carry throughout and hearts will once again be together.