With Christmas over, things will gradually return to normal. 

Some things are already as they usually are on this Boxing Day – my hubby was out beating the pavement at the crack of dawn, indulging in a shopping frenzy, picking up all the clearance items that he wouldn’t have bought before Christmas.  I can only wonder what he’s brought home today; what could possibly be the right price today that wasn’t the right price the day after Thanksgiving?

My parents pulled away from the house last night, sadly and happily.  Dad was itchy and restless for the last two days, more so yesterday since we’d had a snowfall overnight.  While a white Christmas was a beautiful treat for the rest of us, it only intensified Dad's pacing and packing.  The lure of warm, sunny days is too much for him; I’m wondering how much of the appeal is innate for someone born in tropical climes like my father.  Not that he hasn’t fared well here in the Snow Belt.  Some of the funniest memories we laughed about during the last several weeks have been of my father, digging out from whatever snow-laden disaster we’ve had in this winter wonderland.  He’s plowed out our entire subdivision with a lawn tractor, just so my mom could get to her job as a nurse.  Maybe he’s simply just done his share of the white stuff.

Mom's been torn about the trip south, although she won’t admit it.  She’s had a lot of fun with the grandkids – sewing a special outfit for my daughter, goofing around and playing with my son.  But she’s also looking forward to some warmth.  (Wasn’t enough to build fires in the fireplace that raised the house temperature to 80+ degrees…)

The kids are a little at odds today.  My son has gotten quite used to having a grandparent catering to his needs whenever my husband or I can’t get to him.  Now he’s going to have re-learn a little independence all over again.  Same with my daughter; she could count on grandma to aid and abet her getting more fish for the fish tank, or on grandpa to fix whatever she’d broken.  Now, no more new fish and things may remain unrepaired until a parent gets around to it, between other chores.  Amazing that all this dependency was learned in a few short weeks.

Well, we’ll all get over it, the weeks of ‘rents in residence and the Christmas holidays.  Back to weekend phone calls and e-mails during the week with the grandparents.

And no more big shopping jags for hubby…until the white sales begin.

5:57:03 PM    comment []