Awwwww, Carlo. Your story made my screen all blurry...
In the end, when I look back, preparing these huge meals, Holiday and otherwise, it is always about LOVE.. Eating the meal together is the real goal, and the preparation is the teasing, and proof of my commitment.. By now, we have done it often enough to have earned that place where it really isn’t necessary any more..
So as I get older and hopefully wiser, I jump quicker to the GOAL, and let my new place in the overview to exist only in our memories, and not in my aching back.. LOL
Enjoy that wonderful place and let your fingers on your checkbook to the walking.. HA! LOVE YOU ALL.. Carlo