The Joy of Homemade Gifts! (and Facebook)

Today, my Joy came from my sister Caroline. Each year we draw names for Christmas gifts, mainly because 1. I don't have the time and/or money to buy for each of my siblings 2. I wouldn't know what to get all of them and 3. I'm the oldest, so they all basically do what I say! ;) This year was the first year that I fudged a little bit! I always do it at random, but with Mom saying that they had to be homemade gifts as was not going to allow myself to get whatever weird concoction that Laura threw together or Heaven-forbid, Brad's annoying ass gift of "Song"! So I cheated and gave myself Caroline hoping that she would make me a scarf. The gift that came however was even BETTER!

There is a very long thread somewhere on Facebook that discusses the exact qualifications that you need to meet in order to become a member of CACDA or (Caroline's Approved Coffee Drinkers of America). I don't remember what they were exactly but I do remember having a fun and memorable conversation about it with Caroline. At the end, I (or she) suggested she make T-shirts with the slogan printed on them...or perhaps COFFEE MUGS! She said that she would "Get her people right on that!"

So when I opened my gift today I was thrilled to find my CACDA shirt! It made me laugh for a good 10 minutes solid! I found so much pleasure in this little inside joke that I knew only a few people would get. These kinds of gifts are the most meaningful and special to my heart. Not something purchased from a store or found in a center Kiosk, but the kind that show thought and effort!

Part of my Joy also comes from the availability of Facebook, iChat, and other resources that are able to keep my family connected. It has been almost 5 years now (I think) since Dad left for the Pacific Northwest and 4. 5 since Mom and the kids left. Although I have adjusted and it feels "normal" to not see them all of the time, there are still times that this is hard. I still have a hard time not sharing in holidays, birthdays and other memorable moments. As I think right now of the probability that I will not be able to make it out for Caroline's graduation, I have to fight back tears, but Thank God for the availability of Facebook!

I can't imagine what life would be like if I was forced to resort to letters and the occasional phone call. I know that many of my friends are probably annoyed by my constant updating, or the long comments that are attached to our statuses, photos, wall posts etc., but I am thankful everyday that I am able to still feel somewhat connected to my family who lives so far away. It has allowed me to have a funny side conversation with my sister and joke with her in a way that we otherwise would not be able too.

Although it is not the same as being there with them, and I do still feel "left out" of the loop, I have become a Facebook junkie mainly because I am a family junkie. I don't know what I would do without it! Especially as I am facing a very real reality that Mike and Aimee will probably be heading that way soon (if not in April, then someday...I've always known they would move), and that I will be the only one left. The only one who can't be there at Christmas, the only one not at birthday dinners, the only one who can't pop in for a quick visit. I also realize that I will most likely be left out of the Joys of my first nephew's birth, at least I know that SOMEONE will post photos on Facebook almost immediately. Somehow we will iChat with each other and that I will still be able to be a part of the celebration, just in another way.

So today, my Joy comes from Homemade Gifts, Facebook and the connectedness of family! In knowing that distance, although difficult, can be overcome!