Sunshine Christmas

This year, more than any other Julie or I can remember, whether together as a couple, or as siblings within our immediate families, is different - really different.

The weather is different, sure, sunny Florida and all. But now that we've fully immersed ourselves in full time RV life, it is the first time in a very long time that the holidays will be spent without being surrounded by some relatives... my kids are in different parts of the country, most of Julies brothers are back in New Hampshire, each of our cousins in New York and again, spread out all over the place.

Don't get me wrong, Julie and I are happy together and will make the best of the day/season. We're going to the beach and will end the day at a five star restaurant for a gourmet Christmas dinner. And while we are doing things that are Christmassy leading up to the 25th, it is still feeling a bit empty.

Maybe it's nostalgia, wanting to feel joy and warmth of people who are gone, or the size and mixture of everyone's personality that adds to the fun of a large gathering. Or maybe, we are just getting old and realize that life changes. I don't know.

The other night, we went to the Naples Botanical Gardens, which were decorated with a mixture of different colored lights, set against the plantings. It was beautiful, but didn't feel festive for either of us. I'm not trying to insult the people of Florida for how they celebrate the holidays. After all, it's not as though it's going to snow, or people will build snowmen or take a sleigh ride through snow covered fields. It's what we know and align with the thought of Christmas.

But at it's heart is the idea that it marks a birthday. It's a religious holiday and the world celebrates this too. If you believe as we do, this is a big part of the season.

Here at the RV resort, rigs, park homes are lit with festive lights. There's even a manger at the clubhouse. Tonight, there is a golf cart parade. People will "light up" their golf carts and ride around for all to see. We've seen one cart parade before in Virginia Beach, as it was for St. Patricks Day.

Today is Christmas. Last night, we celebrated with Prosecco, shrimp cocktails and steaks on the grill. It was delicious and more than likely we ate and drank too much. But that as it is, we are having a very relaxed day and will head out in a little while for Christmas Dinner. Meanwhile, for your amusement, Julie and I present the Puffin II decked out for the holidays!