Page 15 of Huge Christmas

“Or us,” Carrie says, looking over at her daughters wistfully.

“Or us,” Katelin says with absolute certainty.

“Well, twenty-six is a pretty good number,” Harrison says, wiping his face with his palms, still lost in the moment's awe.

I grab my glass from the table and hold it up. “To friends and family, and the blessings of Christmas.”

Everyone with a glass repeats my toast back and we all drink to the contentment we have at this moment.

Who knows what life will bring in the next twelve months? All we can do is live each day the best we can. Love our families and friends and hope for many more days in the future.

“Happy Christmas, everyone,” Abbey says, holding up a beaker of apple juice.

“Happy Christmas,” we all reply.

It really has been the best one ever.