Well Christmas is over.  I spent it this year with my younger brother who now lives with me, better than the previous 2 years when I spent it alone,  When I was growing up Christmas was a huge family extravaganza. Dozens of relatives and much joy.  I didn’t even hear from my sister today although I did hear from a cousin and an old friend who is Jewish.  When I worked for the DIA in Germany I missed several family Christmases and ditto for the time I worked for NEC in Japan. I may have been far from my family but always close to my friends there.  The picture here is a few years after my father died but a few years before my mother passed away.  Perhaps the last time we had anything close to a family Christmas – it was in 2005.  It’s still early here on the left coast but is bone chilling cold and I’m ready to crawl into bed with my book and get under my down comforter which is the warmest place in the house.