I am preparing to fly to Colorado for a couple of weeks. Father-in-law #2 turns 90 this weekend and we are having a family reunion/birthday party for him. I took him out for breakfast the week before I left for West Virginia and he was telling me of his upcoming birthday. He wanted to make sure I was coming. Even though I hadn’t planned to go back quite this soon, how can you turn down an invitation like that? So, I’m preparing to fly in the opposite direction than usual. It feels a bit strange.

My aunt and I had gone shopping on Monday and when we heard the forecast for freezing rain, we agreed it would be best to head out a little early. I quickly gathered the essentials and headed back to town. I was planning to stay at my cousin’s last night but his wife was sick. I decided to go ahead and drive to Columbus to stay the night at Easton Town Centre. (I’m flying from Dayton this time. It saved me over $300 which I quickly ate up in hotel bills, but…it’s a much needed break.)

I walked around the lovely shops in the foggy cold air, snug and cozy in my full length blue fox coat. (Please don’t think ill of me for wearing fur. Mr. Virgo bought me that coat for our first married Christmas. I had been complaining how cold I was so Christmas morning arrived along with a huge box under the tree addressed to “My Baby Doll”. Inside was the most beautiful coat I had ever seen. I had a flash of guilt about all those animals. Then I saw the look of absolute joy on Mr. Virgo’s face and I melted into a quivering little puddle on the floor. That man loved me with the white-hot heat of the sun and, protesters beware, I will wear that coat and feel the love all the way from Heaven!) It seems there are at least a dozen women in Columbus who agree it’s a pretty gorgeous coat. The lights, the sounds, the smells, and the warm fuzzies of the season are in abundance in this retail megalopolis. I felt utterly decadent ordering a burger for dinner with a scoop of ice cream for dessert. I felt totally pampered when I treated myself to the free sample of peppermint bark in Williams Sonoma. I felt incredibly indulgent when I bought a couple jars of Turkey Brine mix for the next two Thanksgivings, half price! I’ve had a full day of entertainment and food for under $50. OK, not including lodging…yikes! Merry Christmas to me! :-/

Heading into the Holidays doesn’t seem laced with as many land mines as last year. I saw little children visiting Santa and didn’t feel compelled to run into his arms begging for a new heart like I did last Christmas. I’m actually looking forward to seeing my favorite Santa next week when I go to the mountains. I want to thank him again for his compassion. I am sure there will be moments. Like walking through the men’s department in Penney’s yesterday, spotting a beautiful sweater, instinctively thinking “He’d look so good in this.” Sigh. It’s a little less painful this year…really, it is.

❤