Benjamin and I exchanged tiny stockings this year. We used Christmas kid’s socks for stockings since smaller stockings mean there’s much less to fill. Our tree is made of discarded branch clippings from my parents’ tree with ribbon I braided and stars my mom crocheted for me. Brass bells too heavy for the tiny tree are hung on the milk bottle instead. We exchanged our stockings after we woke up this morning and then helped Pepper open his.
We spent Christmas Day with my in-laws’ in-laws. They’re a generous and hospitable bunch and it’s been years since we’ve celebrated with them. It was such a treat to be in their company. Besides delicious food and good company, there are a few things I will savor above the general joy of the day.
After lunch my little six-year-old niece came up to me, addressed me by my name, and asked me for a favor in the sweetest voice. It’s the first time I’ve heard her call me by name and I positively melted. She and I have a pen-pal relationship, but I haven’t seen her in person since she was about 6-months old. She’s a remarkable child and I’ve so enjoyed getting to know her during this trip.
I love Benjamin’s brother like he’s my own, and watching him parent our niece is truly wonderful. He’s so attentive, kind, proud, patient, firm, fun, and gentle. He’s all the wonderful things a parent should be. I’m so proud to see him be such a great dad.
We got hours of uninterrupted visiting time with Benjamin’s brother and sis-in-law both, which was a really special gift. I feel like I know both of them better now. I have a helluva lot of respect for them and the ways they’re raising our niece (she is such a lucky, lucky girl to have such thoughtful, compassionate, empowering parents). And we got to compare notes and understand how much we have in common and build bridges over shared concerns. All of that was a real gift.
On a lighter note, there was a Christmas popper at each place-setting which was just plain fun. I’ve never popped one before. Mine contained a plastic blue harmonica and I wore my orange paper crown all day long until it fell off and I accidentally stepped on it!
