The Laughing Wolf

Memories Of Christmas

Christmas has always been a favorite time of year for me. Not just because of the presents, but because it has always meant family. It has meant the family that I did not see every day, the extended family that for a variety of reasons I did not always get to spend large amounts of time with, even when we were in the same town.

One of my favorite things about Christmas was Christmas Eve. That was a magical day when Dad and I would go around and deliver gifts, stopping to visit with each person or family. We had a route mapped out, and it was always a delight. At almost every stop we would go in and visit, exchange gifts, sit and talk, and do tea or coffee and the like. There were usually treats as well, and the cooking abilities of my family constantly amazed me. I hope to recreate this a bit tomorrow, as there are some traditions that should not die.

A favorite stop was always Aunt Mary’s. She was a retired teacher and principal, and the discussions we got into as I grew up were truly wonderful. She engaged me on literature, politics, and more, to the point that Dad was resigned to the fact that we might be there an hour or two, schedule be damned. I loved those conversations, and it broke her heart and mine when Alzheimer’s began to claim her, for she knew what she was loosing and had lost.

Another favorite set of stops was with the Three Sisters. This was actually three different stops, but close together, and I love you all, dear ladies. Judy, I miss you so much, but am glad that E and T are still a part of my life. Thank you all for all that you did, and for the delights all of you provided.

Ann was another favorite stop, as she loved to bake. We still love to sit and talk about life and most of all about food. How I loved her baking as a child, as she used real butter – a thing my mother would not do, out of economy and the mistaken belief it was bad for you. Ann didn’t care. Butter was what you used for real baking, and she was (and is) good at it. Nice to know there is another Food TV fanatic in the family…

A non-Christmas side note is that in my Mom’s immediate family, it was the men that were the good cooks. According to her, I come by it honestly and she was always disappointed that I never knew my grandfather and great grandfather, who were always reported as being great cooks.

F & J were another favorite stop, for there were always great treats and food, cousins about my age, and a wonderful menagerie of animals including horses. Even today, a pack of dogs can and will descend upon you as you pull up, threatening to eat you and trample you if you don’t pet/thump/play with them RIGHT NOW!

Then it was off to Aunt Blanche’s, to sit around the kitchen table. Now, she could cook but the real one there was Ollie, her cook/maid/friend who did so much. For many years, this was always a stop the night of Christmas Eve, when there was a party there that brought in all of Dad’s family that was left. Given that there had been fifteen children in that family, there were lots of cousins I still don’t have straight. In retrospect, it was a bit strained for some of the adults, due to some nasty family politics, but to me and others, it was a magical time. When the party stopped after my Uncle fell ill and died, this became a day stop and in some ways an even more special time.

There were other stops and other relatives, but the Christmas Loop as I called it was such a special time for me. When I became old enough to drive, it was left to me and I continued to make it as much of an all-day event as possible. My hope is that I can do the same tomorrow with stops old and new.

May your day be filled with delight, memories bright, and wonderful traditions to enrich your life and those of the next generation.

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