Ghosts of Christmases Past

In our family, it has traditionally been the older members who get up first on Christmas morning. I have always had to wake up my children. The last several years that Dad and Mom lived in their houses back door to mine (connected by a gate and a sidewalk), Dad has been the first one ready for opening the presents. He would come knocking on our back door at the first sign of daylight--even before Mom was up. Some years, he didn't even bother to dress--came over in pajamas, bathrobe, and slippers. He wasn't as excited about getting things as he was about seeing the grandkids opening their presents.

This year, even when we were gathered around the tree opening presents, I don't think Christmas registered with Dad. He opened his presents only with prompting.

Christmas was sort of empty this year...