Must have really been something...

It was like a huge hang over. I gathered up the Christmas tree plates, Christmas cards and Christmas lights and started the pack up. It hurt, like a tired achy hurt. It came so fast and now it’s gone. “Bummer”, I thought as I dragged the manger scene off the lawn into the garage where J.D. will take them on their final lap up to the attic, “the Kings just got here and now Christmas is over”. I wonder what the 1000 mile journey home was like 2000 years ago when the real kings came to worship the newborn King. Must have really been something…

We had a few “go backs” that needed to be returned to the stores because of sizing issues, but for the most part, everything fit, and everyone was happy. I could hardly stomach the thought that what was now on sale for 70 percent was essentially 70% marked up in the first place. I never remember 70% sales when I was kid. Some items were supposedly marked down 75%. Really. Even the shoppers looked hung over. To imagine the 'Super Sale' people lined up outside the store doors before the pre-dawn hours with their pup tents and sleeping bags…must have really been something…

Now that the kids are plugged into their iPods (it’s never been so quiet in our car I swear) and now that the December/January birthdays have passed me by, it’s back to school for everyone (including me). This semester it’s Anatomy and Physiology. I ordered my school books early and discovered that we will be dissecting a cat. As the mother of three children and a few animals, this ought to really be something. As a person who gets attached to things, I will be naming my cat something dignified and respectful since it has given it’s life for science. Suggestions are welcome. Last month was incredibly busy with my teenager and I both studying for final exams. I’d like to formally acknowledge that had it not been for St. Joseph of Cupertino, I would not have made it through my final in Sociology. He’s the Saint from Italy who made his priesthood being tested on the only preposition he knew. Let’s just say he wasn’t the best student in the world, but he was a great saint. Can you imagine not knowing seven years of theology and going before your examiners who questioned you on the only piece of scripture you ever memorized? Must have really been something..

My favorite soldier in Tikrit is home for a few weeks and nearly missed a roadside bomb two days before his leave began. As his family welcomed him home at Sacramento International Monday night, I’m sure they grabbed him hard and fast and were all sleeping a little easier that night knowing he was stateside. I can see Michael coming down the escalator in his Army dress. Must have really been something…

Tammy Maher is a resident of El Dorado Hills and biweekly columnist for the Mountain Democrat. You can reach her by email at familyfare@sbcglobal.net or on the web at www.familyfare.blogspot.com