Home for the Holidays

Last year was the first year in quite some time I didn't go back to where I grew up for the holidays. I was going to go this year, but now I'm not sure. My oldest son can't take off any more time from work this year, so he is thinking he'd rather have us come up in January. My middle son had already taken off Christmas week, and he and his girlfriend (who is also from near there) will go then. And today my youngest son's girlfriend said she is thinking about buying plane tickets for my son and her. She didn't say when they would travel. (He's starting a new job tomorrow, which further complicates everyone's scheduling issues.) I had thought he and I would travel together when the oldest one can take some time off, even if it's just a long weekend, but now I'm not sure what to do. My decision is dictated, in part, by my desire to make sure none of them will be alone for Christmas. I would also like to not be alone for Christmas. (Yes, I know I split my infinitives there!) I'm glad the youngest has a (relatively) new girlfriend, but every additional person makes it harder to find a time we can all get together.

This year, it may not work out just the way we'd hoped, but that's okay. We get as many of us together as possible, even if it's different groups in different places, and sometime soon after we'll have a chance to plan some full-family time. So I'll be here or I'll be there; right now I really don't know.