I can’t believe where this month has gone! We’re just two days from Christmas, which means there are less than 10 days left in the year. Where did 2009 go? For that matter, where did the last decade go?
As we gear up for family celebrations this year, it feels somewhat off kilter. Normally we spend every other year in Florida with my family, but for the second year in a row we’ve opted to make the trip in the spring instead.
On the years we’ve been here in town, we’ve always spent Christmas night with my husband’s family, but over the last half dozen years or so, that’s shifted for one reason or another and it’s seem to become harder and harder to fit in that few hours of extended family time. Since we’ve decided to make the get-together the day after Christmas this year, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are going to be strictly immediate family days, which will be a real blessing. With one in college and one in highschool, we just don’t seem to get enough of that these days.
During the time I was juggling calenders with the sisters-in-law, trying to figure out a day and time that worked for everyone, my wise daughter made the off-the-cuff comment, “This is why traditions are a good thing. Everyone just knows what we’re doing.”
But with four families of mostly gown kids that traditional dinner can be hard. All the traditions seem to change. We used to take a family picture in front of the tree. This year, the kids were replaced with the bullies (Rose and Lily) because teenagers scoff at getting a picture taken. (They’ll tell you it’s because I love the bullies more. Don’t you believe it.)
I think we’re going to keep a rather new tradition though. The last few years we’ve been home we’ve gone to the movies on Christmas Day. The kids and I especially are big movie buffs, and there is always such a good selection. It’s time spent together and then a nice conversation after over dinner about the film. Though hubby insists we pick something that won’t have us all crying this year (Marley and Me was last year’s choice).
We’ll be honoring other traditions too. A turkey dinner on Christmas day. Family time on Christmas Eve. And we will have that family get-together too….it’ll just be the day after.
Why yes, I am. Thank you very much.
