12/24 now is the family ties,loosely draped around my shoulders, decorative rather than binding. We look at pictures, moments without us but somehow we are there,too. my grandniece looks like my sister, her grandmother; her sister looks like their father. granddad looks like his son, their grandfather.  the house is also a connector, filled with light and somehow warming my life.  I feel included, casually attached to these people, glad to be hugged by them.