This year we decided to spend Christmas at home, just the 5 of us. We laughed about how we didn’t really know how to do Christmas unless someone was planning it for us, and kept asking different people how they do Christmas so we could get some ideas (I realize I keep saying “do Christmas” instead of something like “celebrate Christmas”, just go with it). And then we realized our Mac Family tradition has to begin here at home, with us. Tradition isn’t really tradition if you’re borrowing it from someone else, right?
So we decided to let the day unfold exactly as it was meant to. We had a lazy morning, said yes to everything, I made some last minute gift deliveries to friends and clients, and we went to a matinee with the kids. Perfection. Wouldn’t change a thing. We listened to holiday music as we ate appetizers and set the dining room table, happy to be using our wedding china for the first time in years. Dinner was eaten in pjs (by some) and we all opened one small gift.
The kids were anxious to go to sleep so that Santa could come (all three are steadfast believers in the magic of Christmas and that alone makes my heart full), and Abby reminded Tock and I to go to bed early so Santa wouldn’t pass our house if he saw lights on. Panic set in when I realized the copy of The Night Before Christmas that I bought the year Abby was born, was up in VT leaving us with no hard copy of the book to read to the kids. My father read us that story well into our adulthood. That was one tradition I was keeping. Tock found a version on his phone and started to read to the kids while I sat on the floor, camera in hand, waiting for a moment to shoot. Except my heart wasn’t in it. I didn’t want to take a picture of him reading off his phone. At all. There was a teeny part of me that hated the moment. And then…..a Christmas Miracle and a new tradition born!!
My sister called, not having listened to my message of panic about not having the book, and asked if we wanted to read together. Heart bursting. We Skyped with the Long family while Eric read The Night Before Christmas and the kids waved and made silly faces to their cousins. Afterwards we blew kisses and wishes of Merry Christmas and sweet dreams to each other and I felt so incredibly full of love and gratitude. I still do.
Warmest wishes to all of you, and may your holidays find you in the company of the people you love.
And a special cheers to the birth of new traditions, whatever they may be.
To new traditions and new friendships. Love u.
Danielle, once more you have melted my heart with your words.
Thank you
Just beautiful. I cannot imagine breaking a one of these.