Home for the holidays

The outside lights are up. The tree is in the house.

The clan begins to check in.

One flew in with tales of nights spent in airports due to the storms across the country. Others will drive in tonight or tomorrow. Some will be away from us for this year but will be together with their loved ones and will call in to report on their holiday doings.

Some will be with us in memory only for the first time. We pray they can gather with those who went before and enjoy the evolving family as we enjoy the traditions they passed down to us as well as new ones added by new daughters and sons.

After years of being travelers headed "home," it is odd to live at the home where the holiday lights are on and door always open for family. To be the place where absent members are remembered and missed and some lights seem to twinkle a little brighter as tales of how Grandmother and Graddad said this or did that...

Ah, the doorbell rings - bringing young faces home again. And in the background plays this

Oh, there’s no place like
home for the holidays,
‘Cause no matter how far away you roam
When you pine for the sunshine
Of a friendly face
For the holidays, you can’t beat
Home, sweet home

And, if you can't be home in person, then know we are with you in spirit whereever you may be.

Home is, after all, where the heart is.