The Christmases of my youth were wonders of family. My mom and dad each had many brothers and sisters.
When we were very young, people from both sides of the family would drop in to visit throughout Christmas Eve. When we moved 3 miles East, we had more room and everyone was welcome. As time went on, the wall from the family room to the living room was removed and the flow this change opened up made it possible to have 150 plus people.
I used to fly home for Christmas Eve from wherever I was on the road, even as far away as New York, for that single evening with family and friends. I never missed one. Even after I got off the road and through 37 years and two marriages, I never missed one.
Everyone brought their favorite holiday food to share, both sweet, and savory. The ginger ale over orange sherbet punch was the common connection. 🙂 We would get out the bass and guitar and sit around the piano, pass out the carol books and all sing Christmas carols. There was the white elephant gift exchange which was always a hoot. Most of all, there was a feeling of belonging and a lot of catching up after a year..
Most of my aunts and uncles are long gone. Their kids moved out of the area and the ones that remain are too fragile to live on their own so they have traveled out of the area to live with their kids.
My mom’s been gone for 15 years. My daughter lives way out of town. No grandkids.
Christmas this year will quiet and somewhat less heartening than those huge ones in the past but, I will have some time with family and I will enjoy that time.
Whatever your Christmas or Holiday time will be, make it the best you can.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and TGFS (thank God for Skype)
Getting through the holidays without smoking is huge! Make it happen. 🙂
