After 6 wonderful days of family – parties – dinners – shopping – friends – and games, the kids are gone. The bedrooms are empty – the dishes and laundry are done. It is just Lulu and I – home alone in the empty nest.
Yes – the kids are 30 now – and in a month or so I will be 60 – but I am both happy and flattered that they flew down from their busy jobs up north to spend 6 days in Florida to be with us – just being our kids and tolerating our silliness. But it was special this time.
The best gift of the season was that Drew and Robin gave us the news that we are going to be grandparents for the first time. They are expecting a baby in June. Looking at Lulu – it is impossible to believe that she is old enough to be a grandmother. I guess that is what it is like when one marries a girl as pretty and young as she is. It feels like yesterday we started our life together as newlyweds spending our honeymoon under a Miami moon – and now we welcome another generation.
Next year will be different. It will be baby’s first Christmas. Uncle Keith will be playing on the floor and sharing family secrets with the newest member. It feels like the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. I told my kids at the dinner table on Christmas that every year with them was better than the one before it.
This morning newspaper will be a lot thinner. Boy – I wish it were 6 days ago – and we could do it all over again. But on to the greatest year ever – the next one.
PICTURES -
Opening presents Christmas Morning
Keith and Dad
Harry - Shirley's Granddaughter Alyssa in Red Wolfpack shirt - Keith - Robin - Drew
Harry and Wayne ponder living in the garden shed
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