Some Things Never Change

6:44AM in a new year, and the Colombian coffee bean was snuffling, sound asleep between us, oblivious to the fact that 2016 had become 2017. What did he care? The only important thing to him in that moment was waking up wrapped in warm blankets followed by piles of buttered toast for breakfast with big brother.

After the service it was back to the usual lazy Sunday afternoon scenario at the Big House. Pans of homemade chili cheese dogs had already put Mom, Rose, and Francis into deep naps around the living room while Yali played with his belated Christmas gift from Rose – an Ironman action figure. Then there were chocolate peanut butter bombs to wake them up while Mom filled in the circle about all the latest news from family and friends via yearly Christmas cards.