Christmas in Dallas—this is my first Christmas ever without being with my son David. It is also the first Christmas for Frances Rose and she is 9 months old—dressed in a Santa suit and joyfully opening presents with her parents in Charleston S.C.. FaceTime is a gift and we shared many times together with the wonders of this technology.

Knowing I would spend the morning alone I reflected on past Christmas celebrations and remembered my mother’s favorite breakfast was a Stollen—a German breakfast fruit cake, smothered in powdered sugar and filled with tasty fruits, and a hard buttery cheese and hot coffee. The powdered sugar always made us sneeze when we took a bite. For my morning breakfast I recreated this breakfast memory, played carols and opened presents—including three new ducks to add to the growing collection! Most importantly I remembered the many days of Christmas with my family—grandparents, parents, brothers and David and Ali—and of course with many friends. The memories, music and magic of the day gave me strength.

Caren invited me to lunch with her family and friends. A beautiful home and amazing table decorated with antique Santas and elves. Her gracious granddaughters performed music and composed poems and prayers to celebrate Christmas and all we have to be grateful for in this life.

The last event of the day of this nomadic Christmas made me feel even more like a member of a happy extended family was to play a mini-game up Dungeons and Dragons with the Stick’s. I was an elf cleric, Ebreck we were a team and Adam did a great job of teaching us the basics—just need a lot more time. Dinner with my dear friends the Sticks at Lumen with Rockfish and risotto for Christmas dinner was truly a first.