So the weekend was good, but....it sorta had a bittersweet feeling to it. First of all....it just plain sucks that I have to be in Berkeley at all during the month of December, I do not want to be here/studio. And on another level.....either I'm paying more attention, or life in my family is moving more quickly. Traditions are changing, lives are shifting. It's tough to deal with, because I grew up for so long thinking that my family was something that would never change. I was lucky enough to never have that illusion broken by something like divorce or tragedy.

But the years are going by....no one can stop or deny the changes they bring. I see my grandparent's getting older. My grandma more forgetful, my grandpa not as strong as he used to be...and what's harder is that now they're both admitting and realizing it. Thanksgiving was moved to my oldest (or longest loved) aunt's house. It was nice, my aunt, uncle, and cousins did a good job setting the place up. But Thanksgiving was the last major holiday at my house/grandparents house. Until last year, our compound used to be the hub of our family's life throughout the year. Birthday parties, random get togethers and the two biggies, Easter and Thanksgiving. It was great to have everyone there, to have both houses and yards filled with family and friends. I think we're going to work on getting either Thanksgiving or Easter back there.

Regardless of where these celebrations are, I try to remind myself how great it is that we have them at all. It's wonderful that the 30+ members of my family and our close friends still live close enough, and get along well enough, to come together throughout the year and cram ourselves into some relative's house for a day. Except for one of my cousin's and her new husband, every member of my mom's family made an appereance at Thanksgiving this year. The location might change, but what really matters is that we stick together and work to keep our traditions going in some shape or form. Sappy yes. But also very true.

So anyways...all this talk about family and the holidays has me thinking about a song from my favorite Christmas movie, A Muppet Christmas Carol. (If you haven't seen this movie.....I have the DVD and I plan on watching it some time this week or next to cheer me up after studio has knocked me to the ground and grinded my face against the floor littered with the scraps of my original "too Cancun-resort like" model.)

So here are the wise words right from Kermit's mouth:

Life is full of sweet surprises, everday's a gift.
The sun comes up and I can feel it lift my spirit.
It fills me up with laughter, fills me up with song,
I look into the eyes of love and know where I belong.

Bless us all, who gather here
The loving family I hold dear
No place on Earth, compares with home,
And every path will bring me back from where I roam.

Bless us all, that as we live.
We always comfort and forgive.
We have so much, that we can share.
With those in need we see around us everywhere.

Let us always love each other,
Lead us towards the light.
Let us hear the voice of reason,
Singing in the night.

Let us run from anger
And catch us when we fall.
Teach us in our dreams and please, yes, please,
Bless us one and all.

Bless us all, with playful years.
With noisy games and joyous tears,
We reach for you, and we stand tall
And in our prayers and dreams we ask you bless us all."