Holiday Cards - Yo Yo Yo, Keepin' It Real at Christmas

December 15th had finally come. Julie felt a simultaneous wave of sorrow and joy.

Less than two weeks before Christmas, and thank God, the decorations were finally up. Tom always worked tirelessly to find the right tree, deconflict the tangled light strings, and retrieve every tote of decorations from the attic, a chilly den of dust and mouse droppings Julie had never actually crawled up in.

With Tom at Ben’s basketball game, Julie had the house to herself.

She sat back on the couch and took it all in. Light bounced off the tree decorations, dazzling the living room. Pine garland with interwoven light strings adorned the bannisters, making the front foyer feel intimate. The holiday cards they’d received so far this season were taped up across the top of the TV.

It suddenly occurred to her that she still had Christmas cards to write. Julie smiled. She fetched a plate of gifted Christmas cookies and poured herself a generous glass of zinfandel. A random pile of generic holiday cards with mismatched white envelopes were scattered on the end table.

“Alexa….play Vince Giraldi”

As a gentle piano began O Tannenbaum. Julie took a long sip of wine, picked up a pen, and got to work.

The Gift of Love

The Gift of Peace

The Gift of Happiness

May all of These by Yours at Christmas

    Happy Holidays Jenny, Joe, Kyle and baby Cora,

Had such a wonderful time at your party. So happy my walnut pie was such a hit.

As soon as you return my Pyrex :) I’ll make you one for Christmas

Wishing you the Quiet Beauty

Of a Peaceful Holiday Season

    Merry Christmas Brennan family,

We all just love your spectacular Christmas light show.

 I used to brag about our lights before you guys moved in.

Not anymore.  Would HATE to see YOUR light bill :) Maybe set that

timer to go off before midnight…try not to freak Santa out!

Joy resounds

in the hearts of those who believe

in the Miracle of Christmas

    Ho Ho Ho! Tom and Lori

Merry Christmas to Bingo, from Pepper [Woof!]

 I [Pepper] got you [Bingo] a squeaky toy for Christmas.

But mom says I can’t give it to you ‘til your mom start picking up your poop from our yard. [Woof]

   Kinda gross, dude. And very, very uncool!

This was starting to get fun. The Linus And Lucy melody began, and Julie poured another glass. She was finding a rhythm.

…wishing you

The happiest of holidays….

   Cindy,

Wishing the world’s best babysitter a Merry Christmas.

Enclosed is a token of our appreciation. Thank you for teaching Ben so many adult words. He now starts every sentence with What The F.

Our little boy’s so adult now that he no longer needs a babysitter.

Merry F@!#%’n Christmas, pottymouth

Warmest Greetings of

this Festive Season

and Best Wishes for

Happiness this New Year

    Jackie,

Thanks so much for the delicious Christmas cookies. I just finished off the plate writing these cards. And I really appreciated your little post-it [haha] warning Tom not to let me eat too many. Little news flash…nothing gets between Tom and me. But I can tell

you that I hear plenty from your husband at the bus stop every morning. Might wanna check in with him on exactly who needs to cut back on the cookies. Cheers!

Julie, now doubled over with laughter, poured out the remaining half-glass of zin. The boys would be home soon. But as Christmas Time Is Here began to play, Julie’s reverie faded. Guaraldi’s soulful piano notes, backed sparsely by only a floor bass and brushes, was always his favorite. Their favorite.

She had one more card to write.

May the Wonder and Magic of the Season

fill your Heart and Home.

Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas Daddy,

It’s been exactly one whole year without you. I miss you so much.

Remember when I was a child and you would sit me on your lap and we would watch Charlie Brown and read out loud all the Christmas cards we got? You’d pour a tall glass of bourbon and make up the most horrible holiday greetings, and you’d ask for my help to invent terrible things we’d pretend to write to our neighbors and friends. You made me laugh so hard I nearly got sick.

I hope you’re looking down on me cause I’m always looking up at you. Keeping your memory alive this holiday season, and always.

Love, Julie