We've had a lovely Christmas here at my house. My husband's whole family (6 adults) came to stay the weekend, and his parents are staying the week. I cooked a feast - I don't cook much but when I do I go all out - and we opened a lot of presents.
I know very well that Christmas isn't all about presents, and I feel a bit shallow going on about all the wonderful items I received. Suffice it to say, my family was very generous this year. And there is one special handmade gift that means a lot to me.
My sister Meredith and I haven't always been the best of friends. Born 3 years apart, by the time we were teenagers we seemed like night and day. I took after my mom - outgoing, always taking charge of things, while Meredith took after my dad - shy and retiring. School came easily to me (so I slacked off and got B's), while she struggled with a learning disability. I always was obsessed with drama, Meredith didn't have any one special interest. Until in high school she took a photography class. She showed talent and great enthusiasm for photography, and my parents - delighted that she finally was expressing interest in something - built her a darkroom in the basement.
I can remember one conversation in the car with my mom (we always had the best talks in the car) when I commented about how different Meredith and I had always been, and she smiled sagely and suggested that we may be more similar than I thought.
When my mom died I was 22 and Meredith was 19. We were getting along okay by then, but my mother's death forged a bond between us and our relationship shifted. I think somehow it became important that the loss she was experiencing was as close to my own as I could get.
Meredith isn't as into photography as she used to be, but she's taken up a variety of arts and crafts over the years and shows great creativity and skill at them all. This past year she took classes in stained glass, and I'm honored that she gave me the project that she worked on all this semester - a box. It is absolutely beautiful.
Isn't my sister talented? I'm so lucky to have a sister, one who I not only love, but also like.
The stained glass box is very beautiful! You are lucky, indeed!
Posted by: Tam | December 26, 2005 at 11:13 PM
What a beautiful box and a beautiful story about you and your sister.
Posted by: Kathy | December 27, 2005 at 12:35 PM
I've been catching up on blog reading (finally) and just read your last few posts. I know the feeling of those old ornaments, and having lost my dad about seven years ago I know the warmth of taking out the ornaments that he got for me in his travels. The box your sister made is absolutely gorgeous.
We missed you tonight at knit night. It was a small, but lively crowd. See you next week I hope!
Posted by: Teresa C | December 27, 2005 at 09:58 PM
I didn't go to knit night either.
I understand too about the ornaments lost. How sad. I do hope some of them are salvagable with a weak bleach solution and some fresh air.
Happy New Year.
Posted by: julia fc | December 28, 2005 at 12:48 PM