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December 26th
The Aftermath
The term aftermath is often used to describe the period following a disaster. Christmas isn’t usually that type of event, but it can have features of one.
We open gifts on Christmas. We had expectations. I noticed my estranged husband spent a considerable amount more on a gift for his girlfriend. He gave me a coffee mug. I need to move on.
Wrapping paper is strewn about the floor. The presents are randomly scattered in the house. Now there is a period of reorganization required.
It wouldn’t be the holidays without some family drama. My estranged husband asked me if I could try really hard to be nice to his girlfriend on Christmas Eve. He said I was mean last year. I’m a different person a year later, and I was insulted. I need to move on.
The food. Maybe we overindulged and gained weight or simply feel guilty. I was excited when I arrived at my parent’s upon hearing there was lasagna in the oven. They make killer homemade lasagna. Even though I think it’s overkill to eat it as a first course for dinner, I got over it and was looking forward to indulging. It always reminds me of Christmas at my Italian grandparent’s house when I was a kid and the holiday was about food all day long.
I sat at the head of the table set for six in anticipation of the rich, calorie dense…
