The title today is from White Wine in the Sun by Tim Minchin. Go listen, and then buy it somewhere. On the other hand, after you’ve heard it I won’t have to tell you to buy this one…

Last week School Girl and I went to MN to visit my parents, my sister and her kids, and Mostcurious. Evil Daddy couldn’t be there this time; mostly new job uncertainty that led to not being able to buy tickets on time, like when we all could have afforded them. This was School Girl’s and my first trip together without him.

It was a pretty good visit. Much less awful that I had anticipated, and a lot more busy. The kids really had missed each other; they played together every waking second that my sister’s kids weren’t in school, and had a 2nd grader’s Dream Day on Saturday. On the bright side, I got pizza and someone else to do the dishes last night…

We went to the “Eflland” holiday display at their big downtown Macy’s one night, and stayed for the big Electric Light Parade. Then we had the Screaming Kids Day, and the next day I met Mostcurious.

This was my first time meeting somebody that I’d only knew online. I’m not sure if she enjoyed it or not, but I had a great time meeting her. It’s probably the most I’ve ever talked when meeting someone new. We visited 2 different yarn stores – and yes, they were very, very different. I actually bought some sock yarn for the kids at the first store, which was beautiful and inviting. They even had roving and wheels, which I tried to avoid even looking at while we were there. Because looking leads to way more fiber in the basement than we have now. The second store was pretty beautiful in its own way. I can honestly say I’ve never seen that much yarn in that small a space in person. Next time I will bring the needles along wherever I go. Mostcurious was really, really great to talk to. I’m eagerly awaiting the results of her camera assignment – it makes me giggle whenever I think of it now.

Most of our visit was spent with our family. As visits go, it was pretty good. No major drama, except for one of my nieces having a meltdown over her cousin leaving. It made me realize that I do miss spending holidays with them, especially the winter ones. since the beginning of time, humans have willed the sun to come back into the sky at the darkest, coldest time of year. Here in the Nothern Hemisphere, that would be the Winter Solstice, which is well on its way. It’s no surprise that most of the world’s religions have a midwinter party/celebration of some kind.

When I think back about Christmases in my childhood, I remember spending time with family. That’s what I want School Girl to remember. Not all the rest of it that seems to go with it, certainly here in the US – not putting money into some church’s kettle, not going to church, not really setting up a nativity creche, although I know my grandparents had one. Being with family.

In all of School Girl’s life, her family will be the ones that she can turn to no matter what happens. I want School Girl to know all of her family, both her birth family and all of us. Some might not be too enthusiastic about the prospect. But that’s their loss, not ours – and I won’t make it hers either.

No matter what you’re celebrating, I hope you enjoy the family that surrounds you, whether they’re your family by birth or creation. Happy holidays.