The Ties that Bind

Bonding.  That's what I was doing with my granddaughters today as we dipped pretzels and peanut butter sandwich crackers into chocolate almond bark.  Last night after I retired, they helped their parents make Oreo cake balls.  This afternoon I bought the ingredients for Martha Washington dipped candy, something we used to make for holidays when my children were little.  How the price for goody makings has gone up! We spent $25 for the project!

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve!  A day that will likely be spent in anticipation and preparation for the big day. In the evening, we plan to go to a Christmas Eve service with our daughter and family at their big church in the Atlanta suburbs.  I'm looking forward to it, especially since they say it is always a wonderful service.

When our children were growing up, it was our tradition to open gifts on Christmas Eve.  There was something so cozy and special about it with the house shining and the kids' eyes bright with excitement as we awaited their father's return from work, then supper, and at last opening presents. They played until they were exhausted, then fell into bed, as likely as not with a new toy or possession tucked in beside them or at least within easy reach, dreaming of what the contents of their stockings would be in the morning.

Now most of our kids' families wait until Christmas morning for the gift opening, which they find to their liking, or possibly they are following the tradition of their spouses.  That is what we will do here at our daughter's home.  Then a special breakfast will be enjoyed, followed  by preparations for Christmas dinner.

I can't believe we've been here almost a week already.  We will go home two days after Christmas and fall back into our own comfortable routine, but missing the energy and activity that comes from three teenagers in the house.  Actually, sometimes it's four, as a friend sleeps over, or sometimes only one or two if absentees are spending the night at the homes of friends.  Kids are such social creatures!   I want them here all the time so I can enjoy them, but being with their peers is high on their priority list right now.

Since we flew here, we are dependent on others for transportation, and our 16-year-old granddaughter is a willing chauffeur, as is her 19-year-old brother when he is available.  How strange!  It used to be us taking them to school, and now they are the ones carrying our purchases, closing our car doors and locating items on the shelves of stores. We will miss them!