Cap felt torn away when her husband took her away to NH to be with his Mother and family. She did her best to enjoy the in-laws Christmas. It was theirs. She didn't really fit in yet, having been in this family a short time. This being her first baby after 2 years of marriage. When they returned home after a week, to her Fathers house, the tree was put away, all the family gone home, she had missed her family holiday, but has met her in-laws and shared a memory with them.
The following year, her Father was gone. Lost his life to cancer.
Girls are close to their Fathers. It is a special bond. Fathers do listen and take care of their daughters. Buying them ponies and a horse, watching over them, teaching them to fish, drive tractor and how to get along with the boys. All the important things in life you run by Dad.
She wished she could have talked over Christmas with him one more time. Maybe though, if she just remembered what he did at Christmas and did that; It would be okay. He also had a birthday 3 days before Christmas. He celebrated with friends and neighbors having a party. On Christmas he tried to make it happy for loved ones. Cap tried to remember the details of her Father, to hold in her memory, to cherish and to comfort her in her loss.
Over 30 years have passed, almost 40 if you were to count.
Cap's baby has grown up and become a success. Her baby decided after her parents divorce she would spend Christmas with one parent a year. She would love one parent one year and leave the other alone. The next year the other parent got her love and attention. Just like that. Coming home for Christmas, making people happy was out the door. Survival of the heart is precarious. One year Cap is delighted, and the next year she is not.
