Christmas and Root Canals

I'm not sure which was more painful; the root canal I had done this month, or getting through the Christmas holiday.

Once Thanksgiving was over, I started thinking about the next holiday...Christmas. It was Jenny's all-time favorite holiday (Super Bowl Sunday and Halloween coming in a close 2nd and 3rd). She, Susan and Elizabeth go to all ends to make sure that everyone gets into the holiday spirit every year.

We have a dozen years worth of After-Christmas Sale decorations, lights and knick-knacks stored in the basement. Jenny had an extensive and complicated list of holiday card senders and receivers (that I hope I deciphered adequately, I sent 324 letters and know I missed some people, just not sure who they are yet). Mason and I have enough wrapping paper in the basement to wrap gifts until she's in high school (oops, just realized that's only 2 1/2 more years, maybe it'll last until she goes to college). Lucky for me, Jenny showed Mason where most of the stuff was and also luckily for me, Mason knew how and where to put it all. Oddly enough, we were unable to locate the brass reindeer stocking hangers AND Mason's embroidered stocking; we found mine, Jenny's and one for every pet we've ever had, but Mason's stocking is missing - it's a weird mystery.

I really appreciate Molly inviting us to her Hanukkah party last week. It was good for both Mason and me to get out of the house and see other people enjoying the holidays. I think it also helped us get ready for what was coming. It didn't hurt that the Matzo ball soup and latke were fantastic ;-)

The anticipation of Christmas Eve was filled with anxiety, sadness and emptiness. The actual event included all-of-the-above and we tossed in some laughter, excitement (the Denver Broncos won), cheer, some wild kids and an abundance of gifts.

As usual, Elizabeth threw a fantastic party. Both she and Bill were gracious hosts, serving a fantastic meal accompanied by delicious wine and desserts. Mason and I are fortunate that Jenny had longstanding friendships with Susan and Elizabeth and we're grateful that they continue to include us in many of their family affairs.

On Christmas Day, Jenny's parents came over and we opened presents, took pictures, cried silently, ate a nice meal together, talked about stuff and mostly watched Mason as she tested and tried-on all of her presents.

Back to the beginning...the holiday was much more painful, after the first needle in my mouth, the root canal was numb and painless...the Christmas holiday without Jenny has been excruciating and the pain won't seem to go away (no matter how many glasses of wine I drink).

Happy Holidays