I admit I'm relieved

My niece wanted to celebrate Christmas with me this year. This was a surprise. A pleasant one to be sure, but a surprise nevertheless. I felt it keenly that we missed one another last year, but I didn't realize she felt it, too.

Then I got thinking: Why does she want to see me? I began to suspect that she might be engaged. She and Mark have been together a while now (two years?) and she seems to love him very much.* He's good to her, he loves their cats, and he's smart and progressive, so he gets my seal of approval. I wish he was a Cub fan, but we can't have everything. (At least he's not a Cardinals fan.)

Then, being me, I got worrying: A wedding! I may be moving this year, I'm going to the TCM Film Festival ... How much time will I get off? And I don't want to see my older sister. I really, really don't.

I'm happy to report that her left hand was naked as a jaybird! She just wanted to see me. And she seemed to be very happy that I was getting along so well with Mark. He was a little shy at first, but he mentioned that in college he took a course in bio-neurology and brain function, so I used questions about Henry's accident and recovery to draw him out.

I gave her a colorful, crazy soft faux fur scarf and a giftcard to Ulta. I'm not 100% sure she liked the scarf. It might be a little too much color for her. Since it's a regift, I can't blame her. But it is quality and expensive  and wherever it ends up next, I hope that woman likes it.

Mark got a beard grooming kit (wash, soap, oil and balm). That was a more successful gift. He was happy to see it was lightly scented, and told me a funny story of using menthol shampoo on his beard and how the fragrance wafted up and cleared his sinuses for the day.

I got a bath set. Orange scented bath bomb, body lotion and foot lotion. Emery board for exfoliation. She knows I love this stuff. 

Then we got on the subject of marriage. We arrived there because of a cousin who recently had a baby without the benefit of wedlock. I said I didn't get. Her baby daddy's name is on the lease and the birth certificate so it's not like he can just cut out. Why not get married? Mark explained that, "to our generation," it's not about the love or commitment but the celebration of the love and commitment. And until they can afford to celebrate it in style, they don't want to do it. So, I guess, there are no late night trips to Vegas and an Elvis impersonator in their future. And, to my relief, no wedding in mine.

My only regret about the afternoon is that I didn't take any photos! It was my first Christmas celebration of the year, it was lovely, but I have no pix.

*Though it must be said that she seemed to love Michael and Jason, his predecessors, very much, too. I think she wants badly to be in a relationship.