Reactions

It is now 7:30 p.m. on December 25, 2009. Christmas Day. It is quiet. Luke, Isaiah, and Eli have gone back to the movie theatre to watch "Avatar." Despite its high critical acclaim, a movie in which blue creatures with tails fly around does not appeal to Shulamith or me. Seth is downstairs fully engrossed in his new Bakugan video game. Shulamith is upstairs talking to Matt on the phone. They do that a lot these days. Have long phone conversations. In between their marathon text conversations. True love. So it is quiet here on the middle level of the house. I'm taking a moment to enjoy the calm. Christmas music (which I won't get to hear for another 10 - 11 months) plays softly in the background. Life is good. Would you like to hear some reactions from this morning's festivities?

1. I awoke before any of the kids. Seriously, this is an absolute first. What can it mean? That they are growing up whether I like it or not?

2. Eli was the first of the kids to get up, so excited. He is a true Webster; I think he loves Christmas nearly as much as I do.

3. Already he (Eli) was receiving text message greetings from his friends, mostly girls. This continued throughout the morning. Each time, he'd say, "Oh, it was Andrea," or "Ah, Kourtney," or "Hey, it's Brittany." I stopped counting at 10.

4. In the oven were caramel sticky rolls, which Shulamith had left overnight to rise. And rise they did. Meine Gute! She put all 36 rolls in one bunt pan. By morning they were literally overflowing, and ultimately, they were delicious. Thank you, Shulamith, for the yummy Christmas breakfast.

5. Let the opening begin! As is tradition, we began with Seth and went through the family in order of age, one gift at a time. Three hours later, we were finished. Some favorite lines follow:

6. Isaiah, after receiving a down comforter: "Wow, great. But it would have been better this past semester when my stupid roommate kept the heat off and the window open no matter how cold it was." This roommate had other much more serious issues (kleptomania, anyone?), and fortunately, he has moved out.

7. Shulamith, EVERY time someone was about to take her picture: "Make sure you get my ring in the picture....make sure you get my ring!"

8. Gerald, every time he received an article of clothing: "That'll work."

9. Seth, even before he opened his Nintendo DSI: "I am filled with joy!"

10. Luke, after receiving a cookbook called A Man, a Can, and a Plan: "This is good. Look....just a can of tuna + some cream cheese + noodles = an amazing meal!"

11. Me, the usual comment spoken repeatedly throughout the gift-opening: "Slow down. Once it's over, it's OVER!"

And over it is. For another year. But here's the good news. Remember how much I dislike the month of January? You know....it's still cold, Christmas is over, and my big kids go back to school and work? Remember that? Well, this year January will be different. It will be glorious. The weekend of the 16th, I'll fly to Salt Lake City to help Shulamith and Matt put the finishing touches on wedding plans. Then on January 30th, Gerald and I will drive to Idaho Falls and meet Shulamith and Matt to take her through the temple. Clearly, the best January ever.

I can't say for sure that it was the best Christmas ever because there have been so many magical ones in the past, and I know the future holds so many many more, but without question it ranked up near the top. So I conclude on this Christmas night, in a quiet home (yes, Seth is still playing video games, and Shulamith is still talking to Matt) listening to Faith Hill sing "Oh Holy Night."

Love to all who read this. Lots and lots of love.