The older I get, the more I long for Christmas' past.
I grew up in a large family. While there were only two in my family, my mom was one of 5 kids, and they all had kids, so I have lots of cousins.
We were a ranch family, so we always gathered there- at the home of my grandparents.
Of course growing up on a ranch mean't I was there a lot anyway. For a time I lived in a house on the ranch.
Christmas eve was a day (yes the entire day) that I looked forward to. It gave me a feeling that I can't describe, but I will never forget it. Everyone was there, all day, eating and drinking and having a grand time.
It makes me sad that my son isn't growing up experiencing the same thing I did.
My grandparents died a few years ago, my 500 lB aunt that inherited the ranch has trashed the house because she can't move around to clean it, most all of us cousins have moved away, and those that remain take cruises around christmas.
It's very sad to me. I miss all of us being together, laughing, and telling the same old stories.... sigh...