It was Christmas Eve, and we were making our way home after spending the day with Mom’s side of the family. Every Christmas Eve and Christmas Day would be spent swirling in the company of extended family, and we were never really able to slow down or enjoy the holidays together, just the four of us. So when we’d get home from wherever we’d been, the thick velvet of a Christmas Eve night settling in, we instead wanted to take time to celebrate at home. On Christmas Eve 2014, we didn’t get together with our extended family — Dad barely had enough strength to visit or even stay awake. We once again welcomed family, friends, and friends of friends.

Source: Huffington Post December 23, 2023 20:42 UTC