Christmas, 2015
Christmas 2015 with Maureen was perfect. Beyond perfect, really. If there is such a thing.
And by Christmas, I don't just mean December 25, 2015. I mean the entire Christmas season, Catholic style.
December 17-23, the O Antiphons.
Dec 17--O Sapienta.
Dec-18--O Adonai.
Dec 19--O Radix Jesse.
Dec 20--O Clovis David.
Dec 21--O Oriens.
Dec 22--O Rex Gentium (King of Nations).
Dec 23--O Emmanuel.
Then Midnight Mass on the 24th/25th. With Luke 2:13-14.
Then the Solemnity of St Stephen on the 26th. The First Martyr.
Then the Feast of St John on the 27th. The most beloved Apostle. The only one spared a painful death.
Then the Holy Innocents on Dec 28th.
Non-stop Catholic celebration, contemplation, commemoration.
Maureen and I, non-stop in each others' arms celebrating....
....what...tho?
Our last year under 50? Our last year not being AARP members?
Celebrating our love of New England?
Our love of knowing each other the past 40 years?
Our love of not being alone for the holidays?
Maureen and I wake up at 4am that entire December 2015. The cold Rhode Island winter somehow sneaking past her supposedly weather-proof Andersen windows.
And would just look at each other tight....
....and look each other in the eye....
.....and grasp each other by the hair....
....and tell each other.....
.....I hate you bitch.....
.....I hate you more....
....Show me.
In other words....it was heaven on Earth.
To be continued.....
