Happy Holidays My Boy!

It was a somewhat different Christmas in the Tennese household this year. One son was away in Japan and another joined us for the first time ever. Garry's son, Michael and his wife, Alysa came from Edmonton so the table was still full with 9 diners! Claire proposed a toast and I welcomed M and A and was about to add something for Colin when my throat caught and I needed to stop. Uncle Wayne added 'and a toast to Colin in Japan'! With the family dynamics changed we also varied the menu a bit. I tried a recipe from Oprah and marinated the turkey in soy sauce, lemon juice and dijon mustard. The turkey itself didn't taste much different, (altho it was very moist) but the gravy sure did! I liked it, but found it a little heavy on the mustard side. Dessert was my lemon forest cake with icing sugar sprinkled for snow. No trifle this year. Colin has never been a big fan of turkey so didn't miss much.

We checked our computer several times thruout the evening to see if Colin was awake yet and were finally able to speak with him via Skype once he woke up around 11am, which was 8pm our time. He opened presents while we listened. I had sent some Christmas dishes, a very funny book on Japan by Dave Barry and a Samurai nutcracker holding a $500 cheque. Angie and Claire bought him a camp Wasaga t-shirt. Most of the goodies we sent were donated to 2 parties he attended. After a 20 minute chat we returned to our guests and opened some family gifts. Colin will mail us a parcel next week when he gets back from his trip to Tokyo.

I was struck with the realization that this Christmas is the beginning of a different future...that soon our Christmases will change with my kids getting older and perhaps the addition of in-laws and grandchildren at the table someday. It's not an unpleasant thought and although we miss Colin always we do know that he's having fun., learning lots and that this a Christmas he'll always remember as well because of his stay in Japan, where it's not really a big holiday. We tried to bring a little of our tradition to his small apartment, but maybe we should just let him experience a new culture in their way. I don't think he's feeling any nostalgia for what he missed with us.

I Cried Today - I Miss My Boy!

Last night we finally had time to put lights on the tree, which has been standing ready since Sunday and the girls started to decorate it. All breakables are close to the top and the ones that kittens can swat are of course sensibly near the bottom.

No one loves Christmas more than me and I decorate extensively! I've always enjoyed doing it and am finishing the job in the daylight with Christmas music blaring. I found myself with mixed feelings when I brought out all the special 'Colin' decorations..of which there are many. Happy to see them all again and sad that I'm putting them up myself.

I've collected special ornaments since the kids were born..many have their names on them, some have pictures of when they were little with missing teeth. Every year we add more. Even tho Colin wasn't that eager in the latter years to help decorate the tree (video games always more important) I always left his out so that he was forced to put them on. After all, tradition is tradition! Well, this year it's my job and the reality that he'll be away for Christmas for the first time ever really affected me as I brought out his engraved ornaments and listened to jazz carols in the background!

I've tried to make his Japanese Christmas special and sent 2 parcels loaded with goodies he's fond of and some Christmasy things to decorate his small apt. including a very small tabletop tree. Omi sent him one too.

This is one Christmas that none of us will ever forget! I look forward to speaking with him on the 24th and sharing stories!