Joanie & Coco
Next week I’ll be traveling to spend Christmas for the second time with my sister Joanie. Our first Christmas together was when we were in our fifties. We’d searched for one another for over fifty years after having been separated as small children, sent into foster care and later separately adopted.
Our reunion in 1994 was a fairy tale filled with exquisite joy and discovery. Two Christmases later we went to the Mall and sat on Santa’s knee for the first time together. Instead of asking for material possessions, we told him how grateful we were for the gift of each other. We’d missed many years of sharing this special holiday and many others, but we intended to make up for lost time. And we have.
My sister has two married daughters who have children of their own, so I have an extended family, something I thought I’d never have. Just think, I have two nieces with wonderful spouses, three great nieces and a great nephew, and I must not forget, even dogs and cats. I feel as though I should hum the tune to “A Partridge in a Pear Tree.” I’m sure the kids have grown quite a bit since I saw them last and I look forward to their hugs.
Joanie and her husband live in a Hansel and Gretel log cabin in a forest in the Adirondacks. It’s a magical place that looks like a scene from a Thomas Kincade painting. The warm glow of light shining through the windows onto the glistening snow outside. The sound of total silence, save the sighing of the pines in the breeze. The crisp smell of winter and stars brighter than I’ve ever seen them.
Inside the aroma of dinner, the chatter of family, the warm snugness of a throw over the legs in front of the fire, and prominent splashes of red make the rooms cozy and inviting. The glow of candlelight setting off the shining golden color of the logs as they climb up to the rafters of the cathedral ceiling. And the gentle sound of Christmas carols floating down from the balcony.
All these memories I’ll be able to re-live soon, and I can’t wait!
I’m so glad you posted this story, Coco. You two look so radiant! And young.
Wishing you another fairy tale Christmas.
Bless you, Pat! I know there are more fairy tales ahead!
Note: My computer froze up earlier and I spent a wonderful hour and forty-five minutes with a charming gentleman in the Phillipines from Dell who knew how to get me back on line. Yeaaay! He said it was 13 hours later where he is, so he is living in the future! I thought that was really an interesting way to look at it!
Thanks for your comment.
Merry Christmas Coco. You, Joanie, and family should have a wonderful time together in what sounds like an idyllic setting.
You are so right, Art. I’m so excited!!! A very Merry Christmas to you, too and a happy and prosperous 2013!!!
MERRY MERRY and HAPPY HAPPY!! What a wonderful way to spend your Christmas! Love and Hugs a many!
Thank you so much, Renee!! I wish you and Howard the very best as well. Merry, Merry and Happy, Happy!!!!
Well, you did it again, dear Sister! What beauty and radiance in your writing. It brought me to tears. I never get tired of your writing. I love you and can’t wait to see you!
Well, you did it, too, Joanie! Just reading your comment brought tears to my eyes. We’re so sentimental!!! See you SOON!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow that sounds so beautiful and serene. Your descriptions are wonderful and inviting, I want to go…Oh wait, I am one of the married nieces and I will be there…Yea! Can’t wait to see you Aunt Gail!
Love, Kathy
Me too, Kathy!! You’re so funny! It won’t be long now!!! Yeaaaay!!!!!!!
Hi Coco, What a wonderful story this is. It brought tears to my eyes. The Lord has blessed you so wonderfully. The picture of you and Joanie is so beautiful and the two of you look so happy and so does Santa. You could write a book on this and it would be a Best Seller.
How sweet of you to say, Frances. Yes, I am truly blessed!!! That picture of me and Joanie with Santa is my favorite!!!! I think if I did write a book about our reunion it would be awfully mushy!!!
So be it! I like mushy and it would make a wonderful story. Love you
Hi to my dear Aunt! We are just as thrilled and excited to spend this Christmas with you! The kids are so excited to have you hear to help us celebrate Jesus’ birth! It won’t be a quiet one for you this year! Get lots of rest! You will need it!
It will be wonderful, Sherri!!! I’m all ready for the hugs and kisses!!! Jesus will have an especially joyous crowd at His party this year!!!! Can’t wait!!!
What a wonderful story, Coco! Glad you and your sis managed to find each other again! You are both so lovely!
Thank you so much, Juliet! So sweet of you to say such kind words. My precious sister and I will always have “lovely” in our hearts. Thank you for your comment and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year filled with all you desire!!!!
Thanks for sharing your amazing story. I’m so glad you found each other! Merry Christmas!
Sorry, Sherrie, it’s taken me so long to reply. Thank you. I’m so glad I found her, too! I leave tomorrow. Yeaaaaaaay!!!!
Have a Merry Christmas and a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year.
Have the best Christmas celebration. I love the photo, too!
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