That's Major Moss, commonly known as Spike in our family.
That's the award ceremony when he was promoted.
That's my little brother.
He left his six month tour of Iraq on Sunday, got stuck in Qatar for a few days and will be home in St. Louis on Friday. He is going to beat Santa to his house.
The three piece tree was snapped together the day after Thanksgiving. The multicolor big bulbs scream "FUN" out my front window. There are strings of multi colored lights zig zagging throughout the inside of the house. The strands outside resemble a clothes line. The neighbor's elegant white lights that perfectly drape each shrub say "Peace. Harmony." We aren't on the same page.
There are not a lot of presents this year. There's not a lot of hub bub. There's not a lot of stuff. However, the house has been full of friends, food and laughter. People pop in. There are discussions about love, gratitude, helping others and hopes for the new year. No one cares that my lights don't match. They just want a cup of coffee and to laugh out loud. There's no cost for this.
Everyone has a roof over their head. Some friends don't have jobs. Some have health issues. Some aren't doing so well. But none of us are alone. It's a posse of people that support each other. When we hear each other's stories sometimes we think "WOW... I thought I had it bad" and then realize that our life looks a little better.
On Friday I will become a crazy cat lady and load Punky and Mazey into the mini van and head over the river and through the woods towards Binghamton, to spend time with my family. The cats will either find a spot on the dashboard or stare out the windows from the passenger seat at the passing vehicles. When we arrive at the homestead, my brother's dog will be terrorized by my furry kids. Chaos will erupt for a period of time. My sister and my niece will try to calm down the dog. There will be hugs and kisses and "How was your trip?" My dad and nephew will unload my car. "Do you want something to eat?" Eventually, we will settle in to that comfortable routine that each family has. And once again, I will fall into the love that is so special in my life.
The holidays are special but I am grateful that this exists in my life each day of the year.
Happy Holidays.
