This faded photo of Peter and me was taken at Evelyn's Christmas party in San Francisco in 1988.
Recently, I scanned and "restored" this Polaroid image, after it was cut, scratched and torn in the October 15, 2006 earthquake. The above result was the best I could do; Polaroids don't hold up very well.
This month Peter and I celebrate our 21st Christmas together, our 4th year in our Hawaiian home (December 11), and our 4th wedding anniversary on December 29 -- the same day we toast 21-1/2 years together!
Christmas has always been *the* special holiday for me. During many of the early years of our partnership we struggled through Christmas; Peter's disdain for family traditions prevented him from relaxing, enjoying, and participating -- and often prompted sabotage. Poor Rachel was never allowed to experience the magic of the holidays.
Finally, after years of resisting, Peter now joins in and enjoys himself. He "gets" the traditions of family love, giving, sharing, and celebrating; now they are meaningful to him ... as long as he doesn't have to work too hard or shop very often!
The "gift" that came out of our 2003 family debacle is we've learned to strengthen our love by working together, instead of avoiding and complaining and blaming. It's the best gift ever.
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