on Christmas day
we are together
Paul and Beka
Anna and me
Dad and Gabby
and the half baby to come

a quiet morning
remembering
celebrating
making room

Taylor and Ben arrive for dinner
at my dad’s insistence
and are surprised to receive presents
as if they were two more kids in the house
Taylor receiving the lion’s share
while Ben seemed to have a lot of gift cards
to help him set up house

Taylor is star struck by Beka
shy, giving monosyllabic answers
at first
until Beka is able to convince her that she is normal
just like everyone else
well, normal
except for being famous

Ben and Dad spend hours talking at the table
about money and budgets
and taxes
Dad’s love of all things banking showing
as he guides Ben on his plans

Beka sits with me later
and tells me how much she likes Ben
and how he and Taylor
seem to fit right in
and maybe it’s because I haven’t seen her
in a long while
but I feel like there is something
that Beka isn’t saying

later, we turn off every light
and sit in the twinkling glow from the Christmas tree
we sing Christmas carols
and take turns telling our favorite memories
next year, this one will be mine

long after everyone goes off to find a bed
I linger under the Christmas tree
feeling a little bit closer to the
miracle of Christmas
I think maybe I will go out with a bang this year
reach at least one goal
it might not make me famous
but that’s okay
there are at least seven people in my life
that already think I’m a star