Holiday Greetings & Memories
I will save you from listening to me play Christmas Carols on my accordion, as I got rid of that thing years ago. My girls, some of their friends, and folks from the church we attended used to go caroling, having fun walking around the neighborhood and singing, “I’m getting nothin’ for Christmas.” Sometimes, we saw lights go out in a house just ahead, but we did not take it personally, and most folks came out and cheered us on. We were having fun and freezing our toes off. One year, we even caroled at a hospital.
My eldest daughter will come to our house for Christmas morning and dinner this year. Last year, we had the youngest and the eldest, which was great fun. I did cook the traditional dinner last year, but I am not yet sure what this year brings. It is a lot of work, and a recent elbow break and subsequent surgery mean I might still be effectively one-handed. At least it’s not my dominant hand!
When I was a child, my folks led us to believe Santa brought the tree and the presents. They stayed up all night Christmas Eve, decorated the tree, put together bicycles and playhouses, and wrapped the smaller packages. We all got a Christmas stocking with oranges, walnuts, and other small items.
For New Year's, we always went downtown, sat on the curb, and watched fireworks as a family. When my kids were little, we sat on the waterfront beach and watched the air show and fireworks. Everyone had family picnics on the grass. I wonder if my girls remember it as fondly as I do.
I am keeping this short, as you and I have much to do before Christmas. Here’s hoping whatever family you can muster get together and make beautiful memories. Living in the Southwest as I do now does not feel as much like Christmas since people put lights on palm tree trunks and cacti. The weather is balmy, and there is little hope of a white Christmas. But having the family together makes it great.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
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This blog post is based on personal experiences and is not meant to provide medical advice.
Always consult your healthcare professional for personalized guidance on your health journey.
