On the third day of what is referred to as the 12 days of Christmas (12/25-1/5), my husband and I prepared for yet another gathering.  The night before we cooked side by side, making sure all of the dishes like million dollar bacon, chicken cutlets and baked ziti were ready to go. 

At 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon, we began an hour and 19 minute trek to Westchester County to see my brothers, sister-in-law and nephew. We arrived just as my 3-year-old nephew rose from his nap. I scooped up in my arms to greet him. As I glanced over his shoulder, I realized the bag containing the presents was missing.

“Oh no!” I exclaimed. “I thought you put the presents in the car.”

“I didn’t see them,” my husband replied. “I took out the trash and loaded the bags I saw.”

“What trash?” I shouted. “Those were the presents.”

My husband’s face became flush. He wiped his hand across his brow and said, “I’ll go back to them.”

“Forget it. It’s too far,” I said as I headed to the kitchen to put out food. 

Seconds later, the front door slammed. My husband had begun a two and a half hour round trip journey.

We passed the time playing toss the hoops on the reindeer antlers on my sweater and other games. Before we knew it there was knock at the door. 

“He’s back!” my nephew exclaimed. 

My husband entered the room with the giant black trash bag. It appeared as if he was Santa Claus making a special delivery  just for my nephew.

For the next ten minutes, we watched as my nephew excitedly opened his presents and began to play. But, the biggest laughter of the night came when my husband began to chase him around the house. The presents were nice but I realized the greatest joy came from just being together. 

#family #cooking #happyholidays #gifts #uglychristmassweater #christmas #christmassweatercountdown #chronicpain #chronicillness #spoonie