This is the first year my daughter is not going to be around for Christmas. And because of this, Lucia invited me to a cruise of the Mexican Riviera. Great Christmas gift and one I’m truly appreciative of. Although this is not the first time we were not in the Bay Area with our friends and extended family of the last 20 years, this is the first time I will be with total strangers.
A couple of Mondays ago December 10th, late in the afternoon I got a phone call from a man who was interested in one of Abbe’s Cockapoo puppies. I had found good homes for five of them except for Mars, the last one. So I had mixed feelings. I was happy about the prospect of a home for him and sad because I had gotten attached to the little guy. All his littermates were gone as of Saturday, so I took down the pen and he ran around with the other dogs and felt perfectly at home. He slept with me Saturday and Sunday night.
His name was Greg and Mars was going to be for his son. I sent him pictures and left for home. I was driving down Highway 9 looking forward to love up the little guy in case he was going to be adopted that night. I passed by a nice little house all lit up with Frosty the Snowman in the front, then Johnny’s Log Cabin in Felton beautifully decorated and lit up brightly. I was starting to feel melancholy: a combination of Christmas nostalgia, sad about losing Mars and sentimental about home and my little brother who I just lost suddenly in October. Then I thought about my Mom and Dad, my Abuelita, my other little brother who I lost years ago.
Mars (now Gozi)“I can’t not have Christmas lights; I need Christmas lights, at least!” I thought to myself. I stopped at Rite Aid and bought a few strands of colored lights. While there, I got a phone call from Greg, he wanted Mars; he was coming all the way from San Francisco to pick him up right there and then! I paid for the lights and hurried home.
When I got home I picked up Mars, loved him all up and played with Angus, Abbe and the puppy. I then decided I was going to put lights up on my rosemary bush, in the dark! I forgot my sprinklers were still on, and they suddenly went on and I got totally soaked. At least I was done with the lights.
Mars left that night. I cried to Isa, I cried to Lucia, I woke up at 4:00 Am and cried. I was a complete basket case.
Well, I feel okay now. I got over the empty den syndrome, but I think about the pups and I can cry. It was so hard giving them up, especially Mars, the last one. He melted my heart.
So since December 10, I have progressively added more decorations. I put my large ornaments with my lights on the rosemary bushes. I have my red lit up star in the guest room window. I have start lights on my fireplace mantle. I have Christmas stockings for all my animals as well as ones for Oso, Arty and Lilly. I have a decorated Christmas Tree. I have a Christmas centerpiece in my dining table and decorated the entrance to my house as well.
When I got home I picked up Mars, loved him all up and played with Angus, Abbe and the puppy. I then decided I was going to put lights up on my rosemary bush, in the dark! I forgot my sprinklers were still on, and they suddenly went on and I got totally soaked. At least I was done with the lights.
Mars left that night. I cried to Isa, I cried to Lucia, I woke up at 4:00 Am and cried. I was a complete basket case.
Well, I feel okay now. I got over the empty den syndrome, but I think about the pups and I can cry. It was so hard giving them up, especially Mars, the last one. He melted my heart.
So since December 10, I have progressively added more decorations. I put my large ornaments with my lights on the rosemary bushes. I have my red lit up star in the guest room window. I have start lights on my fireplace mantle. I have Christmas stockings for all my animals as well as ones for Oso, Arty and Lilly. I have a decorated Christmas Tree. I have a Christmas centerpiece in my dining table and decorated the entrance to my house as well.
As you can see I even had my picture taken with Santa.
It feels good. I am in my Christmas bliss in front of the fire and the blinking lights, even if I leave for my vacation on Friday, the 21st, I’ve enjoyed the environment I know as Christmas for 11 days!
I am looking forward to Christmas in Mexico with Lucia and New Years Eve with my sister and family in San Diego.
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