Last year we already knew that Sarah would be gone for this Christmas. Even knowing that; we did something different last year and we were apart for Christmas. Maybe we were testing the waters as to how we would feel for this Christmas? I don't know, but I do know that we all had a wonderful holiday even if we weren't together. Do I expect the same this year? Yes and no. I know that the people that Zach, Brian and I will be with for the next couple of days and weeks will be fun, wonderful and a pleasure to be with. I know food will be plentiful, beverages flowing, conversations entertaining and traveling fun. We are returning to places that we have been to often and love and we look forward to the familiarity of that. What I DON'T know is what Sarah will be doing and that makes it tough. Even Sarah doesn't really know what she will be doing. In her host home they do not decorate a tree until Christmas Eve so she hasn't done that and it doesn't feel very festive yet. Her host family has not told her what they will do for Christmas Day. I am sure that her host parents will make it a warm and nice holiday but Sarah is not feeling much enthusiasm so that makes it hard. I DO know that right after Christmas Sarah gets to have 3 days of ski lessons and skiing and that for the new year she will be traveling to her host mother's family home near the Austrian border. These will be new and hopefully VERY FUN experiences to anticipate. Plus, of course, the awesome gifts we sent for her to open on Christmas Day!
Someone recently asked me if it was hard for me right now with Sarah gone and it being the holidays. I said no, not really, it isn't any harder then any other day. When I know she is having a hard time with either homesickness or illness or difficulties with her family or the language I feel for her and miss her. I want to be able to FIX things for her, but I can't of course and that is part of this whole exchange for both of us! I wouldn't let her give it up just because we miss each other. I am in awe that my daughter has taken on this amazing, difficult, exciting, demanding path in her life. She has already grown so much because of it and will continue to become more and more of a "global student" and mature young lady as the year continues.
Zach returned from MSU for Christmas break last Wednesday. I didn't see him for 4 days. When he was finally home for a day it was great to see him and talk to him. I look forward to spending 2 weeks with him and Brian away from the every day life here at home. I don't feel like I am back to being a "nester" because he is home. He is going to be 19 years old on Friday - my "best Christmas gift ever". He is a wonderful, fun, funny young man. He is challenging at times, he WAS challenging at times; maybe because of that we have a pretty excellent adult relationship. I want to think so at least!
Make the most of the WHERE you are and WHO you are with! Merry Christmas to you, wherever you are this holiday season.
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