There is nothing like the holidays and end of the year for reflection. As I have been sorting through thousands of images to re-upload to the website, I ran across these pictures from three years ago of my family at Christmas during the height of COVID.
We had decided to not celebrate with our traditional get together at someone’s house but did choose to meet at St. Edwards State Park in Juanita a few days before Christmas for a hike just to see everyone. With one family member a nurse, one with failing kidney health and another battling cancer, it was the right thing to do.
Of course, we are back to our normal routine now and it is hard to believe this has already been three years ago.
I do feel much gratitude, though, because we are all still here including one more addition with my baby brother’s first child Ethan who will be two in February. And baby #2 is due this February, as well. With so many families finding themselves with fewer loved ones around the table, there is not a day that goes by that I don’t appreciate that my immediate family is still intact.
I have to admit that it was nice to have one Christmas where we didn’t have to leave the house and bustle around. And I still hope that one day my adult son will take me up on the offer to go away somewhere warm for Christmas. But until then, I will appreciate the joy of time with my family whether it is Christmas day or any other day of the year.
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