Edged in Blue

This time last year, I was expected to be alone at Christmas.  I expected to either be sitting alone in my house, worried about surviving on my own, or moping at my brother’s house.

Instead?

The old Rancho Winter is someone else’s home now, a mere investment for me.  (Yeah, for once, I make a big investment during a recession.  That never happens.  So suck it, Wall Street!)  I now live at Chateau Nita.

Last February, I met a woman who completely took my breath away.  Actually, we’d met through my on-and-off standup career.  But after a few casual emails, I suggested meeting for drinks, just to have some semblance of a social life again.

The only available day was Valentine’s Day.  She was divorced, her ex not opting to be much a part of her son’s life beyond the weekly child support check.  I was, of course, in the process of dismantling my own marriage.  I said, “We’re not with anyone.  Let me spoil you for Valentine’s Day.”

They say love at first sight and whirlwind romances are the stuff of myth.  In fact, I usually have my doubts about such stories.  Yet it happens.  It happened to us.  By my birthday, I had proposed to Nita.  She accepted.  We married in June, her son – and now my stepson – AJ giving away the beautiful bride.  And now?

I am spending my first Christmas tomorrow as a family man.  Something I’d all but given up on in 2007.

It’s been a strange, rough, but very good year for me personally.  Here’s hoping more of the same for everyone.

May our 2008 be everyone’s 2009.

A very Merry Christmahannukwanzaakah to you all.