One of the perks of having grown kids is getting to sleep late on Christmas morning. So, we did just that, waking late in the bright sunshine of a pretty day. I fixed my world famous pancakes and then Marti, Kevin and I opened presents. It was a nice morning, but through the fun of giving and getting, there was the absence we all felt. Marti and I drove down to Arlington National Cemetery to visit with Scott and we met up with his cousin Suzy and her husband John and Scott’s Best Man, Sean. They were there before us and were busy sharing a flask of Macallan with Scott in spirit and reality. Suzy made Scott some of their Gramma Deppa’s Honey Spice cookies, a favorite of both of them and Marti and I brought him a Guinness. We visited for a few minutes and then they left to go home. Marti and I stayed. Standing there, remembering, we heard a large group of carolers up the hill a long ways singing lustily, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” to a relative or friend who is buried there. It was a very quiet day and joyfully their voices drifted down to us. When they finished the last chorus, they cheered loudly and toasted to the memory of their friend. It is wonderful that, in this place, strangers are connected and can enjoy and share the common remembrance of our lost family members. After that, Marti and I said goodbye to Scott, (and to Princess too) on our way home to dinner with our family.
Merry Christmas to all of you and here’s to a Happy New Year of Peace and prosperity.
