"Aubey Ann" (Aubrey) wishing everyone a Merry Christmas while playing Peek-a-Boo |
December 26, 2013 – Thursday
0 degrees/partly cloudy/calm
Pentoga Road
And just like that… Christmas has come and gone for another
year. It arrived before I had a chance to write my yearly newsletter, the first
I’ve missed in the past thirty (or more) years.
Sargie and her sons, Cale, Shea, and Macrea |
I don’t understand this time thing. The older I get, the
faster time travels. When young, working,
and racing to keep up with daily family life, the days crawled by. Work was a
necessary chore that turned into a four decade test of endurance. Now, in my
later years, there aren’t enough hours in the day and days in the week. We just
celebrated the Fourth of July and suddenly, the New Year is upon us. Somewhere
in there, Christmas sneaked in, came and went, much like a
rotating door. No doubt it’ll be around again before we know it.
The snow keeps falling, usually an inch or two a night |
Our Christmas and Christmas Eve were days that storybooks
are written about. Macrea joined us early on the twenty-fourth and we spent the
day talking and laughing.
I made super duper pancakes for breakfast on Christmas Eve |
It wasn’t long before we were headed to the annual
Milligan Christmas Eve gathering. This year, it was at cousin Nick’s, not far
from Felch, Michigan.
And as in years past, there were countless plates of food
and goodies stretching to the edge of the horizon with more selections than any
one person can comprehend.
The other members of the family and the Milligan sisters
made a special effort to welcome Mom and greet Andy. My youngest son had been
to the annual gathering two years ago, but this was Mom’s first Milligan
Christmas. By night’s end, there was little doubt that she was officially an
honorary Milligan family member. They have that effect on all who walk through
their door.
Great niece, Brielle, was like a baby doll, wearing a new
Christmas dress. She spent most the evening wandering through the forest of big
people, happy to smile at anyone who talked to her.
Aubrey and Marley were attired in matching outfits and were
so excited, as were Logan and Kiley, Max and Maggie. The little ones helped to
ensure that us big people would remember how exciting it is when one remembers
Santa is but a few short hours away.
Aubrey and Marley, along with Mommy and Daddy |
Armed with Christmas wishes, we headed home late in the
evening and it was well past midnight before the last light was extinguished on
Pentoga Road.
Shea's family with Logan and Kiley in the front |
I assumed Macrea and Andy wouldn’t be awake until later on
Christmas morning, but when I came downstairs to fill the wood stove fairly
early, both were awake and ready to discover what Santa might have left under
the tree. Sargie and Mom sooned joined us and we spent the next hour opening
gifts.
The traditional Christmas morning breakfast consisted of
French Meat Pie. Macrea and Sargie had made thirteen over Thanksgiving and
frozen each. As usual, the pies were delicious. Macrea departed later as he had
to
Almost six inches of snow had fallen during the night to
grease the skids on Santa’s sleigh. Andy commandeered the four-wheeler and
plow; I started the snow blower. Together, we cleaned the drive and back patio
making them ready for the next snowfall.
It was time to go to sister Jeanne’s for the annual Milligan
Christmas Day gathering. We enjoyed an afternoon of finger foods, sandwiches,
and talking, all surrounded with an atmosphere of love and holiday spirit. I
ended up playing the piano as the family sang Christmas carols. It was my
favorite part of the holiday; an old-fashioned Christmas. No hype, no gimmicks.
It was simply a peaceful time filled with family love and song. Perfect.
There's no lack of conversation between Mom and Louise |
I set up Sargie’s new Kindle last night and she played with
that. I read some news online, carried in wood, and it wasn’t long after 9 PM
before we were in bed.
Sargie’s back to work today. Laundry is on the “things to do”
list. I’m also in the midst of switching my cellular and landline from AT&T
to Verizon, so there’ll be a trip made to town.
This is Andy and Mom’s last day in the North Woods. Both fly
out tomorrow on the early afternoon flight heading to Minneapolis. Mom goes on
to Indianapolis, Andy back to Louisiana. And just like that, Christmas is over
for yet another year.
It’s time to throw another log on the fire and make a sandwich
for Sargie’s lunch. No doubt, Mom and Andy will be up soon and so will begin
another day.
But first, it’s time to get another cup of coffee and think
deep thoughts.
After all, a man’s work is never done.
So are the tales from Pentoga Road…
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