Wifey is the Reason for the Season

So Christmas morning arrived bright and clear, and the Ds, sharing a bed like they used to when they were little girls, emerged -- first D1, complaining about being awakened by her sister, and then D2 saying, essentially, too bad D1.  I so savor having them here together.

We all gave Wifey her birthday hugs, and good wishes, and then we dressed later in the afternoon and headed over to St. Ann's rehab to see my ancient suegra.  It was Christmas, and St. Ann's is a Catholic place, to the facility was PACKED with family members visiting their relatives, and exchanging gifts.  We waved at the icons of St. Ann, or Santa Ana as they call her there -- figuring it couldn't hurt the Suegra, and found her room.

She was strong, and bossy, and looked for all the world that, at 92, she ain't joining her husband in the Great Schtetl in the Sky for quite some time.  She loved seeing the Ds, and remarked, as usual, about their weights -- violating hilariously every rule we've ever learned about talking about young women's weights...  The Ds, both gorgeous, love hearing this from a morbidly obese woman.  So we had some nice laughs.

We left the center and swung back home to see an SUV waiting outside our gates -- it was Ashley, one of D2's BFFs, in from San Francisco and staying in Boca for the holidays.  She said her hellos to the dogs -- especially Bo, the Special Needs Spaniel who she grew to love during grad school in Gville, and then we piled into Wifey's SUV and headed for Tropical Chinese.

What a scene there.  It was packed, and the owner's Mom, a very tough Chinese lady, was barking orders. "Merry Christmas -- now move out of way!"  They did have our table for 12 waiting -- I rushed to claim it before it disappeared into the maw of hungry Jews...

And we all gathered -- our 5 (Wifey, me, the Ds, and Ashley), Deb and Norman, Barry, Donna, and Scott and Josh, and Vince.  Vince is a young lawyer and my protege in the office.  He's a great Irish Catholic guy from LA, and when I learned he was spending Christmas night alone, insisted he join us.  He did, and had a blast.  His parents, (Dad now deceased) are from LI, so he shares a NY sensibility even though he was born and raised in Encino.

Anyway, we sat and sat and sat -- no waiter. After awhile, I had Josh tap the passing Dragon Lady to ask about that, and she said, curtly "Be patient!"  We were, and soon enough, the waiter did come. (Great line from Norman: Usually a shortage of Chinese people is not a big problem in the world.  Tonight, here, it is).

He took our orders, and proceeded to bring a SLEW of gourmet Chinese delicacies.  They really do have the best Chinese food in Florida..  Everyone marveled at the dishes -- some usual, some unusual, and most of us enjoyed a few cocktails, too.  D1 said hello to several friends, and on the way out we saw a well known judge and his husband -- we greeted them, too.

Wifey beamed.  She had an awesome birthday, which number cannot be stated, even though she's now 4 years younger than the Beatles song from Sgt. Peppers where Paul McCartney wonders whether he'll still be needed and fed...

I also politically incorrectly singled out Vince -- made everyone wish him a Merry Christmas, and toasted Scott -- he turned 20 today, and we complimented him for causing, as far as we knew, no teen pregnancies...

We drove home, and D1 left for a friend's dessert party, and then back to her apartment.  She had an early client event on Miami Beach.  D2 and Ashley headed over to Carly's house -- she's in from LA, and Carly's Mom Abby made them delicious brownies.

I fell asleep, knowing I had accomplished the mission -- great birthday for Wifey, Ds and friends all well fed.  Yes -- I am one lucky, rocking Daddy in the USA...