Today we wrapped up our family Christmas by driving SWAC Daughter to Blacksburg to meet up with SWAC Son-in-Law after he spent the weekend visiting former work friends in the land of Virginia Tech. Our 10 days of family time together ended all too soon as SWAC Husband and I hugged them goodbye and watched as they drove away toward their Tennessee home. Christmas 2013 is now in the memory books.
Sigh. I miss them already.
We raise our children to be independent but sometimes the memories flood back of my shy little girl who wouldn't let go of me, hiding behind my legs when we were in unfamiliar places, remembering her satisfaction of retiring to the safety of her room in the evenings where there would be cuddles and mooches. The nostalgia also includes the memory of a little blond curly-haired boy who enunciated his words, looked out for his younger sister, and was quick to give hugs and kisses, and who now owns a home not far from us. The weekend with both our children, now grown, was priceless, a time of board games and HGTV marathons and movies and grilling out and just lounging together.
And so today I had to smile as we watched SWAC Daughter and Son-in-Law leave. We had squeezed every ounce of fun that was possible out of our time together -- along with my parents, sister, brother-in-law, and niece -- who had all joined us for a Shenandoah Valley Christmas at our house. Those memories will forever be cherished....
Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
December 2013
No comments:
Post a Comment