Christmas time again

Merry Christmas to everyone.

Christmas eve was so much fun this year. My brother was working so instead of staying home alone with the pooch, I pretty much house hopped.

Went and spent time with my dad and even helped him wrap his girlfriends Xmas gift. I am the ultimate gift wrapper!!

I went and saw my other brother who I haven't seen in a while and also spent time with my dad's side of the family who I pretty much haven't seen since my mom died. It was an ok time.

I went and spent time with my best friend and her entire extended family on her boyfriend (husbands) side. The are the best group of people that I have ever met. They make me feel wanted and act like the are genuinely happy to see me. "Lita told me that I am welcome when ever I want to come over." She is the sweetest lady that I have ever met. I got to watch the kids, all my friends who are by no means kids, work with her to make homemade Tamales. From filling the bowl with Mesa, to watching each of their techniques on how to fill the corn husks. Each of them totally different but they all worked in creating yummy filled husks. Watched as Lita filled the husks with her meat filling and lining the pan with them with expertise. I am told that these are really special and coveted because they only get them one time a year. I can totally understand on why that is...they took a really really long time to make, and by midnight, they were still not done. And, I must say that her bean and chile tamales were hot, spicy and the best that I have ever tasted. I have never had a homemade tamale in my life, and it was worth the 32 years of waiting!!!

I got to sit in on their tradition last night, and it meant the world to me to be invited to share it with them. I watched as they bantered back and forth, how they are so involved with each others lives, and how much love this family has for one another. From the young to the old, they hold each other in great respect. A true family if I have ever seen one. I know each family has their own problems, and they have them probably just as much as the next, but this family also has life. Something that I have missed for a really loong time.

The pile of presents under the beautiful tree was something to look at, and all the people piling on top of each other in the living room. All the excited looks on everyones face was something priceless. The presents were sitting there teasing the small children who were so excited to open them to see what treasures that they had received. I don't know if this is a tradition or not, but each time one of the kids asked if it was time to open a present, the time got later and later. Lita finally said as everyone finished pie at 11pm, that it was time to open gifts.

As gifts were passed around, and the eyes getting bigger and bigger on all the kids, pictures were snapped to perfection with the memories captured to last a lifetime. From the serious gifts of beautiful works of art to the hysterically funny "Superman Underwear" that were actually worn on the outside of the pants, had us all laughing and snapping pictures that would no doubt be on someone's face book in the morning. HAHA

As people got ready to leave around 1am, the mood was light, and still some how energetic.

I tell you, this was the best time that I have had in a long time. And even though I felt alone and lonely, I was never once unloved. I love my friends and their families with ALL my heart and thank them for everything that they gave me last night, I will never forget it.