Happy Holiday

I am sitting here in a beautiful Branson condo with little more than family on my mind.  Earlier I smashed my finger in a car door.  My ankle is throbbing tonight.  I have really not been getting along with my husband.  Nothing physical nor emotional can tear my thoughts away from family, my family.

For once, I am not dwelling on or thinking of the past or the bad things, but I am fully living in the present.  Really, that would be present as in gift.

My youngest brother and his family met us in Branson for the holiday weekend.  Not just a once a year shuffling of children, but an actual vacation style trip.  We are staying in a two bedroom condo.  I feel a bit like a hen with her chicks all back in the nest.  It is overwhelming to consider how big this is for me.

We have spent the evening having dinner, window shopping and enjoying one another.  It has been far from perfect and yet it has been perfect for me.  It's the first holiday I will be spending with family in 7 years.

So many nights I cried myself to sleep with the grief of knowing I had lost all connection to my family.   Tonight, I could probably fall asleep with tearful joy.

This is the safest and healthiest contact I have with any family and it has taken 6 years to establish that.  I will take it.  I will hold onto it tightly and cherish every moment.

Now off to bed I must go.  I have a full day ahead of amusement park and BBQ and ice cream and mini golf and swimming and whatever other activity we can possibly do.