The Best Things In Life Are Free

I know many people's Christmas wish is for peace on Earth,  Mine is simply for peace and quiet. That's exactly what I got all wrapped up with my English bully Daisy.  I just wanted to be left alone.  
Leading up to Christmas I was very busy. I was shooting Christmas concerts.  I was taking pics at the best dessert sampling night ever.  I was delivering food hampers that an area city councillor (Michael Thompson) had dropped off at my building.  Amidst all that I was planning, co-ordinating, supplying, and finally, hosting a Nog 'N' Toy give away in my lobby.  Then, Christmas Eve was spent trying not to have a full blown Christmas breakdown, as I arranged for my boys to get their art desks under their trees.  (For the record I was not so successful on the breakdown part.  Given everything else I accomplished I'm sure a momentary lapse of sanity will be forgiven.)  
For a million and one reasons Christmas day has never been about celebrating for me. When I was growing up any gifts I received were second hand items that would have been half price at the local Sally Ann.  That wouldn't have been a big deal if the brand new price tags weren't still attached to my brother's gifts.  Any new items from distant relatives broke in transport (my tea set and my box of perfume) or were confiscated by my mother (my battery operated barking dog).  
The fact that I am still able to function at all this time of year is extraordinary.  The fact that I organized that Nog 'N' Toy event in my building lobby in an effort to teach my grandsons

about giving is beyond extraordinary.  The fact that, despite my Christmas breakdown brought on a full 24 hrs ahead of schedule,, my boys (THE most important people in my life) still had their art desks under their trees, is a miracle.  
So, after all that giving, does it really matter if I don't show up for Christmas dinner?  I'm not going to apologize for my lack of attendance.  Today I thoroughly enjoyed having nothing to do except curl up with my English bully Daisy.  
​Sometimes, the best things in life are free.   ​