Possibly the Best Christmas Ever... or at least Top Five
Entering the Christmas season, the only thing I was really looking forward to was being off work for four days. Lol. Once upon a time Christmas was about giving, receiving, family, laughter, and plenty of adult beverages. In the last couple of years, things have changed, and Christmas has become more about being off work. Cynicism has been winning.
My wife told me we were invited to a party on the 23rd, with a few other couples we like and admire. I was prepared to be cordial, to smile at the right times, maybe add a witty line or two. I hadn't counted on the persuasiveness of Manhattans, laughter, stories, hugs, and the perfect surroundings. We fought over gifts, played charades, planned future events, and I woke up hours later on the passenger side of my Suburban, unaware of my whereabouts and that an inebriated picture of me had gone viral. Perfect night, and I felt the ghost of my Christmas spirit stirring.
The 24th was going to be a new, non-traditional event. For at least thirty years we'd gathered on Christmas Eve with members of our family, but as the holiday season approached, there'd been no e-mails, no texts, no messages, leading me to feel as if everyone was trying something new. So me, my wife, and my mother put together a night just for us, my brother, dad, niece, and sister-in-law. The only extra guests were my brother's best friend (my brother from another mother), and his wife, visiting from Australia. Laughter ensued, love flowed, and references to my brother's short-lived career as "The Black Danny Terrio" made it a memorable and enjoyable night, and the start of a new tradition. Two perfect nights in a row, and as Christmas morning dawned, carols and love had my soul humming.
The thing with me is that I never expect gifts, meaning anything I receive is a blessing. My youngest daughter Kym, knowing how much I love unique t-shirts, bought me two, scoring mega brownie points.
Instead of the traditional breakfast at my mother-in-law's, we waited to have dinner and exchange gifts. I held my newest niece for the first time (due to my reticence about holding babies!), laughed, hugged, made plans, and enjoyed dinner with my family. By the end of the night I was quoting Tiny Tim, feeling like George Bailey, and filled with the holiday spirit. Three perfect days in a row.
The only fly in the ointment of a perfect Christmas was that my oldest daughter Amari lives in Georgia, and couldn't be here. No worries, because next year I'll be off for two weeks, and no matter where I am, Amari will be there. New traditions, new beginnings, and the celebration of the season of giving. Merry Christmas!
Now, about New Year's...
