Finally

I finally got the Christmas tree finished. The lights on the bottom third are 'glowing' more than the rest of the tree. That's because I had so many dead bulbs and got so frustrated trying to find good bulb replacements among the boxes of Christmas Tree Light Parts (like who does that, keeps a big old 'parts' box)? Enough! I thought as we headed to Target or wherever to get some new sets of lights.

Hence, the difference in the lights glow. But I wasn't about to take those old lights off... No-Siree-Bob! Not after all the trouble of getting them on there. They might end up going away when Christmas is over or they might end up as the new light parts to be kept a few years until we get tired of them again and dump the whole load.

For now, it's on to the presents and the wrapping. I don't think it will take as much time or effort this year to get it done. It seems the lowly gift card is still in vogue. We'll do a few swaps along with the rest of the country among those who simply couldn't think of the perfect gift to give. You can give me a card to a Restaurant or Walmart and I'll give you a card to the Hardware Superstore or Bed, Bath, and way Beyond. Never mind the movies, thank you. I still have the ones you gave me from 2 years ago.

But the spirit of Christmas Day, with all its hoopla, jokes, laughter, eggnog, lunch or supper, as the case may be, will still be what counts most of all. And on that account we're as good as gold, ready and willing to face the dysfunction of the day, knowing full well that for the rest of the year we've got each other's backs, come hell or high water. After all, that's what family is all about.