Well, This Is an Interesting Development
My father usually calls on Thursday mornings when she who shall not be named goes to get her hair done. So, this morning he called and we were actually in the middle of doing some music so I didn’t talk to him very long, but long enough for Little Girl to sweetly say “hiiiii!” and “bapa!”
He then asked me what we were doing for Christmas. Which, although I’m sure many of you people out there know what you are doing for Christmas Day, I really don’t have any clue yet. Part of it depends on whether or not they hire a new choir director and Mike doesn’t have to do all the Christmas morning masses (they freaking better hire a new choir director SOON is all I have to say about that). Mike’s family has a big get together before Christmas with all the cousins and siblings and kiddos and in-town family, which is great because then we are all free to not feel guilty if we can’t make it to someone’s house for Christmas. Last year, Mike’s parents and grandfather came over to our house and I made a fairly simple dinner. Since we have so much going on Christmas Eve night, the last thing I want to do is make an elaborate meal, but it was nice anyway. I sort of assume that is what we will do again this year. It’s just easier that way. Mike’s mom doesn’t have to cook, other than to make whatever she brings to contribute to the meal, and they don’t have to clean up. Plus, all his siblings live on the other side of town, so it just works out best for all of us.
Anyway, back to my dad. He asked because he is going to be alone for Christmas. She who shall not be named is going to spend Christmas with her children in Texas and he says he doesn’t want to go back there where it’s cold. Guess I can’t blame him much for that. Also, she’s staying until mid-January because one of her grandchildren is getting married then. I suspect we’ll see a lot more of my father those few weeks.
So, he wants to come over and spend Christmas with us. Which is fine. And weird. I haven’t spent Christmas with my father since before my mother died, so that would have been 1999, believe it or not.
This will be a really special Christmas, because even though it’s LG’s third (!!!) Christmas, the first Christmas she had only been home from the hospital for 5 days and she was only 3 weeks old. Last Christmas she didn’t really “get” it because it was the first Christmas she was really aware of. So this Christmas should be really amazing and fun. Because she will “get” it. And she will have just ripped open gifts covered with wrapping paper a few weeks before on her birthday. So it should be a LOT of fun. I think I’ll invite him to come over sort of early in the morning so he can enjoy the fun.
I think it’s really important that she spend at least one Christmas with her grandfather, and this may be the only one she ever gets. He’s going to turn 79 a few days after she turns 2, and who knows when she who shall not be named will be gone for Christmas again?
I still remember the Christmases that my maternal grandfather would come and spend with us. Oh, how I looked forward to those visits! I want LG to have good memories of her grandfather. I’m sure at some point when she’s older I will tell her the truth of the situation, but for now, I want her to build as much of a relationship as she can such as it is.
And in the meantime, I thank God for Mike’s parents who are always there to watch her when we need them to and with whom she has an awesome and wonderful relationship. I miss her at church on Sunday nights, but the time she spends with her grandparents is utterly priceless. And she needs to have some of those priceless memories of her other grandfather stored up for when he’s gone.
So, the face of our Christmas Day just changed. I think for the better.
Comment by Shannon
October 12, 2006 @ 6:01 pm
I have missed so much lately! Little Girl is just adorable and my 2 1/2 year old son kept trying to get me to go back to her picture, he kept saying pretty girl.:) I hope your ankle is better very soon.
Comment by Theresa
October 13, 2006 @ 7:06 am
I totally agree with your thinking on this. Pretty amazing…I hope Christmas day is wonderful for all of you. Maybe you can actually enjoy your dad too. :)
Comment by cmh
October 13, 2006 @ 1:44 pm
that will be a great experience for the kids..
Comment by OldOldLady Of The Hills
October 13, 2006 @ 3:54 pm
That sounds really wonderful Karin and I’m sure this will mean a lot to your father, too! I think it’s great that you are trying to give Little Girl as many GOOD Memories of her Grandfather as possible. How lucky, too, that you have such fabulous in-laws…That makes for such a warm loving childhood for LG, too! In yiddish there is an expression of Congratulations..but it means much more than that, too….And I say it to you now, Mazel Tov!
Comment by TC
October 14, 2006 @ 6:40 am
I think it is wonderful that they will get to spend Christmas together. Last year we spent Christmas with my in-laws (they came to our place) and Little PRincess was three. It was the absolute best. it was so much fun to see her getting it and them enjoying it!
Comment by Melany aka Supermom
October 14, 2006 @ 6:47 am
I think it’s great. She will treasure the photos, the memories made on Christmas day
Comment by Monique
October 14, 2006 @ 9:34 am
Spending the holidays with family is truly priceless. I think it’s wonderful that you and your family will get to spend the day with your dad this year.