XMAS Continuation

Whoa, what a week! Traveling back from the US, feeling rotten with a screaming headache for a day, a puffy toe, not sure what that is about yet, job hunting, New Years celebration till 7am...

So, no time to get to the internet in a few. The good news is I went from having virtually no job, one night a week hardly counts to haveing 3 jobs! Yup, going to be working 7 nights a week and 2 days a week. Bienvenidos a Costa Rica!

With my free time going bye bye I am happy and grateful to have had such a wonderful week at home with family and friends.


Day 2
Nothing like a bowl of New England Clam Chowda to beat the cold.

In the evening I filled up some more – food, laughs and hometown love - with Jen and Smellen at good ol’ Dunn Gaherin’s.

Christmas Eve
Getting to come home was gift enough, but today was the topper, the clincher, the best day of the year...Dad received a clean bill of health from his neurosurgeon! And how sweet it is to be there with your loved one to see and feel the relief together. No surgery needed, not even an MRI needed for a whole year. No rain or cold could squash this happiness.

On to see little Miss Eve and Auntie Bef…I wasn’t even out of the car when I was greeted by a red booted elf. You can’t help but feel the love when you hear a little voice call to you “Titi!, Hurry, Titi, you’re getting wet. Come in, come in.”

Then to Grammy’s to start our Christmas Eve traditions: everyone trying to speak French, picking on Jonny for being late, Paul saying something politically incorrect, but super funny, and of course Eric being Eric. Only family and a gem like Heather could appreciate us!

We rolled our carbaholic-selves to Nana’s after for a little more merry mayhem – the laughs from the swaps and stealing made my full belly hurt even more. I didn’t get any deviled eggs, but that’s OK cause my rockin’ Nana brought me some on Saturday – that “young” lady doesn’t miss a beat.

Christmas Day!
First, Merry text wishes to Mama G and Uncle Ray then me and my almost digested self rolled out of bed. Tree-side gift opening was a little different this year without Ric, but mom and I got some QT together. I think she really liked her hand painted mariposa (butterfly) bag from Costa Rica. The bag was something for her to open, the symbolism was in the painted butterfly that said thank you to her for letting me fly (even though it’s eating away at her). Both of my parents deserve more hugs than there are Chin’s in a Chinese phonebook for the support, moral and financial, they have given me. Hug, hug, hug…

Afternoon dinna was fabulous as usual. A little different without Mana, Titi and Ric, but we’ll see them later, for now Ma’s potatoes make everything alright. Ella’s commentary, always entertaining. Doris’ cake, yum-o. Lee’s growing up, a sign another year really has gone by. Nana still won’t eat broccoli. Anything and everything still makes Uncle Bobby happy. Jose is talking up a blue streak. Let’s say thanks, eat and be merry!

A highlight of the day was a Skype call with Abbyliscious Faith Lickaway and her mommy and daddy. Everybody needs a little ham on Christmas! Boy, do I miss that little one.

After at Liz’s house I got to see old friends and more little ones. My Xmas wish – I wish to look like Moira after 3 kids. AJ was home after two years, needed more catch time with this one. Maybe he can send me some advice from a successful expat to start my new year off right? How do you get through the growing pains of living in a new country?

Day 5
I got an early start to New York to see more family – Mama and Papa G and Uncle Ray of Sunshine! Unfortunately, Uncle Ray’s sun wasn’t shining so bright and we missed each other due to an overnight bug. But, we’re connected in a special way that I could feel the energy increase just by being close by. MG and I hung fireside for the afternoon, then MG and PG treated me to a brick of a steak. Really it was as big as a brick. And, yes, I think I ate more than Papa G. I wasn’t letting the chance at some good red meat go by! It’s hard to come by in Costa Rica.

Day 6
I made my yearly pilgrimage to Dena’s gravesite early since I won’t be home for the annual January birthday/anniversary gathering. Four years have passed and we have done this time and again. But, it will never be normal. This,while therapeutic for me, this is just not right. I, we, are moving on, but in this moment I feel like time is standing still. The days go by, I try new things, but somehow I might still be in the same place. She would want me to move from this place. I do, but a piece remains stuck. And ouch does it hurt. It hurts for me, for her and for everyone else that loves her.

Next, more goodbyes. I leave Mama and Papa G for the ride back to the Bridge, WITH music! Using mom’s car with a radio was a nice treat. At home Mom, Dad, Nana, Titi, Uncle Bobby, Lee, EE-ric and Heather come to share the love and see me off. Nana comes with eggs (and some green), Mana comes with sheets, Eric comes with jokes. This is mi familia – they give things and they give love to each other. Sometimes in their own special way. Sometimes it’s hard to see since we all move in our own directions, but it is here that I will always be most comfortable, most ‘me’. Good or bad, idealistic or unrealistic, secure or risky, sophisticated or goofy, who cares or determined, confident or unsure – they let me be and stand by when I need them.

I wasn’t able to bring much home for Xmas, but it’s holidays like these that remind me how much my family (that includes you Mama G, Papa G and Uncle Ray) loves me – to them I was gift enough. That’s a cool and necessary feeling. Everyone should be able to have it. And, for me the same is true. Ma felt bad that I didn’t have much to open nor did I participate in the gift card grab, but for me just being able to get there was an invaluable gift. (And thanks to all who helped reimburse me for my plane ticket!) Feliz Navidad y Prosperp Ano Nuevo!