10 reasons why this was a wonderful Christmas:

1. Together –  all 13 of us were together all day long and everyone was healthy. That’s the best present Grammy and I could ever receive.  We love having you with us, being together… we’re so lucky.
2. Photo –  the Seven Samurai (you’re one of them!) all cooperated this year and let me take a Christmas photo. I’ve included it below.
3. Cyclone City – that’s the only way to describe what happens after the photo is taken… it’s a tornado of activity as you unwrap presents, shout out, interact with each other and enjoy the magical moments.  We go overboard with the quantity and variety of presents, but it’s always given us joy to give back and make others happy.  We won’t be always be able to do this, especially as we get into our retirement years, but we’ve been fortunate and you have reaped the benefits, bringing Grammy and I great joy.
4. Special presents – Grammy and I got heartwarming presents from you, our incredible grandchildren… the gifts you make for us with your heart, imagination and talent… those always mean the most!  Proudly displayed in my office, they will keep me smiling all year round.
5. Our new house – this was a special Christmas because it was the first one in our new house at 30 Shore Lane in Dover Point.  We love it here and it already feels like home.
6. The weather – it was one of the warmest Christmas days ever in New England, pushing into the mid-60’s.  Boston hit 70 degrees!  We actually opened several of the windows we were so warm.  After the record-breaking snow we got this year, it didn’t bother me seeing the green grass.
7. Seeing you play outside – No coats, boots, jackets, gloves and scarves this year… no bitter cold… so you all hit the driveway and front yard, playing ball, running around, doing cartwheels, going for a walk.  Very rare in the history of Christmas days!
8. Being ourselves – we’re not a formal family, boring intellectuals, stilted or dull.  We’re full of life, spontaneity and everyone has the freedom to be who they are without pretense or judgment.  It’s a house filled with love and laughter.
9. The natural ebb and flow of the day –  there’s an “UP-Even-down” flow to the day. It starts off fast and furious, then slows down a bit after the presents are opened, then picks up for the appetizers and dinner, then gets quiet for a bit, then picks up again for play time, then by the end everyone is dragging, lethargic and slow, ready to go home and hit the sack.  The fact that you guys get up multiple times during the night in anticipation of Christmas, and start off so early in the day, has a lot to do with the pace of the day.  Everyone runs out of gas!
10. Saying bye-bye to 2015 – I always regard Christmas as the last meaningful day of the year, the last hurrah as we move toward a new year.  I count the many blessings we have had over the past 12 months, there were so many.

Merry Christmas!