Christmas 2009 - a memorable one it will be!

Well... another year has almost come and gone. It is incredible how fast time seems to fly these days despite not really having established my role in society, and the anxiety this has caused me lately. Kind of feel that this included picture says it all ... an open canvas ... beautiful, but some how frighteningly inaccessible. (This pic is of the Saw Grass of the Florida Everglades.)

The good news is that we are - mostly - healthy, and my kids are well on their intended paths. Heather to working in business, and Leigh as a doctor - given that all proceeds as well as it ha been for her in her quest to get accepted to med school. I will simply be amazed should this endeavor fail!

This morning we recieved a call from Leigh, who is in Barcelona for the holidays. She had great - and for a father inevitably terrible news - she has become engaged to her man Aaron.

I am in fact thrilled, as Aaron seem a great match for her, but it is yet one more step toward total independence for her - and ultimately Heather as they begin their own lives totally separated from Marg and me.

I guess I have been dreading this moment ever since I held Leigh, then Heather as infants. It is certainly true that daughters  hold unusually strong sway over a father's heartstrings. Though I did not cry with emotional overload today, nor when Aaron did Marg and I the considerable honor of asking for her hand, I can say that I have not fully processed the whole deal even though it has been almost a month since I have known.

Of course, it is to soon to know when their marriage will be held, nor where in the world they intend to hold it. I do hope that they do not fall prey to the considerable pressures of traditionalism. I don't honestly know how I would handle it should they opt to spend money on what - after all - is just a party lasting only a few hours. Life is difficult enough for this generation - the economy, costs for housing and education and the like - without frittering away money needlessly.

I am glad that my uncle Stewart is here, and able to share in the good news. This made all the more poignant, as my sister-in-law - Tara - lost her mother to cancer just a few days ago. So although none of Leigh's grandparents remain alive, at least one of that - perhaps the greatest generation - has been able to share her joy.

Heather seems genuinely pleased as Leigh has already asked her to be her Maid of Honor. Even though these two siblings fight like cats and dogs on occasion, I am happy - almost beyond belief - that they seem to have developed a very deep love for one another.  I cannot help observing that their relationship seems to have improved immeasurably since they stopped living together. Heather seems also to have found equilibrium with her man - James - a very nice young man she has been seeing on and off for a number of years. I would not surprise me if they did not some day declare themselves as well. Please though... not for a while. Dad needs time to let this first one sink in!

So in just the past month, Cathy - Marg's sister - turned 60; we lost Tara's mom, Leigh is engaged and we have learned of Heather's intention to move to Toronto once her MBA has been completed in April. Oh... and Leigh has learned of her first, all important, interview with St. Georges University Medical School. I can hardly keep up any more!

Tonight, we are all off to Tom and Tara's for Christmas dinner, No doubt it will be a little more subdued than normal given the circumstances, but with both my nieces under 12, their youthful exuberance should help buoy all our spirits.

To anyone out there that might be wasting your time actuall reading this drivel, Merry, Merry... and should this scribbler not get to it in time, have a safe and healthy 2010.