Merry Christmas. We're on our way to Sissy's for Christmas dinner, Carla, I hear, is cooking. Gioia and Lindsea went over a couple hours ago to help get dinner ready. You should see Lindsea in her Xmas dress. It's dark with a plaid print on the skirt; she has black leggings and black buckle shoes. She looks so precious. Stephen her elf is on the tree watching over everything and she's very conscious of his reports back to Santa. Pappy says that she'll walk up to Stephen sometimes to tattle on Bryan when he's doing his big brother dastardly deeds. It's wonderful.
John is so excited about the wonderful gifts he has in store for Gioia and the kids. He's a nervous wreck hoping that they'll enjoy what he's chosen for them. It's so tender and sweet when you see him worrying. He's been so wonderful to Gioia these last few months. He keeps Gioia and me aware that our little disagreements bother dad and he reins us in whenever necessary. Jordan is practically a man, mom. He's just about as tall as me and he's developing this quiet confidence in who he is. He's truly curious about the world around him. He has taken up reading and I think that you are a big part in that. He sees the end of high school coming and he's nervous about the decisions ahead. I adore the young man he's becoming. I hope that he continues to gather to him friends that appreciate him for the rare jewel that we all have known that he is.
Bryan has grown even faster than Jordan did a couple years ago. The peach fuzz is getting thicker on his lip. He's still that little boy that we have seen all these years though. He tries so hard to be a tough teenager but there's that Giant sized heart inside that he really can't cover up. Neither of the big boys give hello kisses as freely as they used to, but when Bryan hugs me, it's the same hug that he's been sharing with me since he was 4 years old. I feel the love moving through is skin into mine.
Daddy, he's the strongest man I’ve ever known but he's much weaker than he once was. He misses you mom and it shows in every word he says and every motion he makes.
I wish you were headed to sissy's with us today. We're going to see Christina's family for the first time and I'm sure you'd be just as excited as I am. Mark is getting married mom and his gf seems very sweet. I'm sure you'd enjoy getting to know her.
Well, I'm keeping everyone so I'll stop writing right here for now. I think I'll write more about xmas later today. I love you mom and miss you so much.
Hi again, Gioia, Dad and I just laid out all the gifts for the kids and it's bed time. The evening at Sissy's was very enjoyable. You'd love Christina's kids. Very sweet and oh so loveable. Carla cooked (with Sis) and we met Lisa's mom. You'd have liked her. Lindsea was at her most charming ever. She played with Lena and Joya and was adorable to all. Shay came about 8pm and the kids opened their gifts. Ralphie and Debbie are having us all over to their place on Saturday, I haven't visited their house in well over ten years, and I’m looking forward to it. I'm so glad that you and sissy patched things up before you left us. It felt so nice to be with them for the holiday. I know how you loved this holiday mom. You'd be so proud of Gioia how she has stepped in and taken up for you. She's helped dad so much with getting through the holiday. It's hard to talk to you when all I want to do is yell at god for taking you.
John has a special gift for dad; it's a photo of you when you were a young woman with a sweet poem that he found. I know dad's going to cry his eyes out but it's a beautiful gift. You really got inside with him mom. It's one of the things I’m most proud of in being your son. The love you've shared with so many, how you believed in us all, Christmas isn't the same without you, I’m just glad I had 42 xmases with you, some men aren't even that lucky. all my love,
John Michael
