Another One Bites The Dust

I think this is the last lost tradition post for 2015 and I have saved the big one for last.

This year, for the first time in 27 Years (yes the Normal Autistic Girl ,Kezz, is 27) I will not have my children with me for Christmas.
I am not sure how I feel about this.
I am not responsible for this.
HR started the demise of this tradition by agreeing to work Christmas Day (remember HR works in another state) and in all good conscience I couldn't let him fend for himself on a day that is about family.
The Mini Brat compounded the deal by announcing she was going to Germany for Christmas (alas it has not snowed so she may not get the white Christmas she was hoping for).
Further complicating it all is the fact that for the first time in 15 years I will not be seeing The Dragon Lady (my Mother) for Christmas.
The Normal Autistic one will pick up the slack and go and see her Nana on Christmas day and then she will go and see The Boy Child, his Consort (the saint in making) and my gorgeous Grand Sons.

So, a tradition that has lasted as long as my parenthood is now broken. No mad rush to clean the house before The Dragon Lady comes for lunch, no mad rush to shop for the perfect foods to serve, no mad rush to buy and wrap appropriate presents and place them just so around the tree, no wondering where the hell the kids are, those who have had to travel to be with us,no wondering will HR get back from his parent's place in time to go and pick The Dragon Lady up.

No more will we fear the annual critique of the gardens ,we bought the house off The Dragon Lady and once a year she visits, Christmas, and criticises (not always constructively) the gardens and any 'improvements' we have made to the house.

Last year the Consort was suffering food poisoning, so we thought, seems she was pregnant!!

So this year it will be just HR and I.
I am not sure how I feel about this.