'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Ever since I was old enough to remember, Christmas Eve has been one of my favorite nights of the year...if not the favorite. Sure, Christmas morning is the day you open the gifts but as with most things, the real treat is in the anticipation (although when I was growing up, my Dad worked for the MBTA and worked most Christmas Days, so we would open the presents on Christmas Eve. My mom explained to us that Santa knew that Dad had to work so he wanted to make sure that we were able to open presents with Dad there, so he came a little early. Nice guy, that Santa.).
In years past, when both grandparents were still alive and their brothers and sisters were young enough to do so, we would always have Christmas Eve and Day at one of the three aunts houses. They all lived on adjacent streets, one street over from each other. One year it would be at my grandparents, then next at my grandfather's sister Mary's, the next at their sister's Ann...and so on. Thanksgiving and Easter would get rotated in as well. All, except Fourth of July....that day was ALWAYS at my grandfathers. He had a huge screened in porch and a giant backyard. Actually, we would have an evening cookout and fireworks on the 3rd of July. Then on the morning of the Fourth we'd have a breakfast and spend the rest of the day playing wiffleball and swimming over my Aunt Mary's house (only one street over remember?)...but I digress.
I used to love these holidays as I got to see my cousins and relatives that I rarely got to see on non-holiday weeks. We would pack about 30-40 people in the house. On Christmas Eve we'd have a traditional Italian dinner...pasta and fish. And lots of it. Then we'd spend the rest of the night playing cards and talking until Santa showed up and gave all the kids (and adults!) presents. Actually, one of the last family get togethers for Christmas saw yours truly reprise his stellar 6th grade performance as Saint Nicholas. I wish I had tape of that...I'd put it on my reel :)
As everyone got older, the holiday get togethers became a thing of the past. People get older, move on and go their own way. My grandparents sold their house about when I moved to Los Angeles. My cousin bought it, so at least it stayed in the family.
Now Christmas is a little different. I come home and spend it with my Mom and stepdad Barry. My sister and her husband, as well as my brother and his girlfriend came over for dinner tonight (Chinese food!!) and tomorrow we'll all go see Papa at Harborside. Then come back, do presents and have our own dinner. Tonight, after writing this, I'll kick back with Charlie Brown Christmas as well as Dave Brubeck's Christmas album playing on Itunes. I'll watch Miracle on 34th Street and A Christmas Story on TV and just relax. I do look forward to the years to come, when I can create some new Christmas traditions of my own for my family.
Until then, Merry Christmas everyone!!
posted by John K @ 6:32 PM
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