What a wonderful winter holiday. Akira decided that it was time to retire and spent most of his time helping Giovanni with building the low income housing. They just completed two of the houses in the neighborhood and kept them well under budget to encourage the town to move in. They are currently beginning the foundation for the third house.
I am so close to reaching the top spot in my culinary career, it has been good to have him home. They have decorated the house and set up the tree. What a wonderful Christmas we will have.
I spent the day in the kitchen cooking a grand meal for our family tradition. It would not be winter fest without all of the trimmings and favorite dishes we have come to love through the years. Since Lindsey is still a child we opened gifts first thing this morning, it seems everyone was happy with what they got and our oldest children spoiled us rotten this year. They have opted to help upgrade some parts of the house to give us more room to live and maybe get a lovely dining table in here.
The night progressed well and before we knew it father Winter came bearing gifts for the family. Akira tried to sneak off to have a private chat with father Christmas but Zoey over heard some of the conversation and fled to my arms in tears. Apparently my darling Akira was feeling time creep up on him and was feeling like he had very little of it left to get his affairs in order. He apparently was making a big Christmas wish for next year has he didn't feel he would be here to celebrate. It was all the family could talk about late into the evening.
Noel arrived late in the evening from business school announcing her engagement to the love her life. She was worried that we would be upset that she fell in love with a women. We both assured her that her happiness was our happiness and wished them well in their future marriage. Akira told Noel how proud he was to read in the paper a few small investments that went in her favor recently. He hoped that they could talk soon about getting some things in order.
Giovanni took the news deeply, he adores his father, but the reality that he only had such a short time with him hit hard. "What have I been doing with my life so far mom?" he said, "ever since Nina I stopped trying, I need to find a love and do my part for our legacy." We all were feeling the sense of urgency to get as much done with the life Akira had left. We had to make the most of everyday moments.