Christmas with a difference

I woke this morning with a sense of relief – of plans accomplished, gifts given,  and a freedom achieved.  This morning is Christmas morning.

We celebrated the season early with friends (dinner out and no work for the hosts).  We relaxed and laughed and enjoyed their company.  We do this early in December before the demands of the season become too great.  Sadly, that’s what I feel sometimes, a feeling of duty, of certain things that must be done, and of a love for the season that seems to be smothered with shopping.

Our children have children of their own.  Most of them live too far away for us to celebrate with them. They have celebrated with us in many ways during the year – most specially with the 50th Anniversary party they gave for us.  (I did none of the work.)  So, it’s good and right that they should be home with their own families enjoying the season.  We know without doubt that we would be welcome in their homes if we chose to travel.

We are old enough that most of our grandchildren have already stepped out into the world and are going home to celebrate Christmas with their parents.  It’s such a marvel.  When I write to Brynne about the family things I sent her, I will be telling her about spoons from one great-great grandmother and a pickle fork from another great-grandmother, not counting what she receives from me, her own grandmother.  (That’s a teaser for her.  I sent her a box and she won’t get it for a while.)

I left Christmas shopping for the house and my husband until nearly the last hour.  I love to shop and I feel cheated when that happens.  I love to linger over the different items – which to choose?   I always spend just a little more than I should because I want my gifts to be the best I can afford.  You too?

It was fun shopping this year.  For Roy’s Christmas charity gift, we traveled to Los Angeles and the Toy District to shop.  I can’t tell you how much pleasure we received from that.

The first thing I bought for Roy was new shirts and pants.  He’s been getting new clothing for Christmas since he was a little boy and I wouldn’t want to disappoint him.  Roy rarely shops for clothing for me because I’m hard to shop for.  I got a stack of hardback books (not difficult, I made a list of those I wanted), the most marvelous soft and cuddly slippers ever made, and a heated throw for my lap while I work on the computer.  I just hope it doesn’t overload the circuits.

Our big dog, Jake, also gets gifts for Christmas.  I don’t have little ones around to get all excited so he gets to have the fun.  He got a new warm dog bed (for an outside dog that’s a necessity, even in SoCal), a new long and furry squeaky toy, snips of ham from last night’s Christmas party, and a long walk today from Roy.  He probably likes the walk best, though he’s easy to please about such things.

We go on Christmas Eve to celebrate with Roy’s brother, his wife, and as many family as can cram into the house.  Out of necessity, everyone brings part of the dinner.  My sis-in-law must have tamales with hot veggies to eat and we had tamales of two kinds, one with beef and one with cheese and chiles.  It’s part of her tradition.

Usually a young adult brings their first food offering for the table.  However, this year a grown American-Chinese man, a father of nearly grown children, cooked his first crown rib roast and brought it to the table.  Culture and gender aside, this was the best roast I’ve ever tasted.  He had spent days in preparation and planning, and then stood back to see every last bite eaten.  I believe I saw a human person gnawing on one of the bones.  (grin)

A new bunch of cousins were running around.  I admit I have never been there when there wasn’t a gaggle of children going in and out and about with their childish games.  An Auntie or a Grandmother will catch them for a moment and tell them how pretty or handsome they are and give them a hug and then they’re off again.  Because I see most of the children only once a year, they do seem to grow in great giant leaps.

I haven’t said a lot about my Christmas charity gift.  I didn’t know what it was for sure until this morning.  It turned out to be bean and pea seeds for a gardener, food for an AIDS orphan, pairs of rabbits for a family to raise, and money for a Mexican orphanage.  The orphanage money will be handed over to a retired Pastor who will convert it to what he sees the orphanage needs.  I feel certain that food and clothing will be at least part of it.

I hope for you a satisfying season – one in which you gave as well as received.  Roy and I have found that the giving is what brings the most satisfaction.  Merry Christmas to you all.

Marilynne