Yet Another Generation of Friends

My absolute favorite part of Christmas is the continued tradition of lifelong friends stopping by to visit over the holidays.

It typically begins with the arrival of Jason from New York days before the actual holidays. I selfishly steal him all to myself so that we can sit on the couch and chat over wine. My children are put to bed (or shipped off to Nolan's Christmas program with Grandma and Grandpa), and my husband knows his presence is an intrusion. We chat until I am almost asleep on the couch and Jason, after many attempts, finally leaves in the wee hours of the night. No matter how long he is here, it is never long enough, hence we make additional plans (but they are never quite the same as those times spent just the two of us).

In years past, I have always worked very hard to coordinate all of my high school friends' schedules and plan a get together with as many people attending as possible. However, this year, I didn't feel the desire to plan such an event, nor the guilt for not doing so. This year the visits have been dispersed over many days, providing more intimate conversations and for me, many days worth of laughter, memories, and love.

Last night, a very impromptu gathering came about with the Dubs family. I sat there in my living room, giddy at the fact that after 35 years of friendship, our families would still love to gather, drinking, eating popcorn, and watching yet another generation of children become lifelong friends.

Tonight, our dear friends the Robinsons are coming to dinner for the 2nd year in a row to exchange gifts and share good food, creating new memories, and definitely sharing lots of laughter and love.

Tomorrow morning, Diane and Ava will come (hopefully in their pjs) for coffee and scones, and Sunday Jarod will cook curry for Jason, Doug, and I.

I am sure there are many people who do not understand how I could choose to live 4 blocks from my parents, teaching in the school I attended; however, if I didn't I would never have the opportunity to have each of my dear friends come to my home, sit on my couch, share wine in my kitchen, and bless my abode with yet another year of blessings and friendship!