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Mommy has been saying for a while that this is her last year hosting Christmas Eve. "I've been doing it since we lived in the apartment house - that was long before you were born," she told me. "And I'm tired. I'm 88, after all. It's time for you all to form your own traditions."
Not bloody likely. Christmas is about family, and although we are very different people we are fiercely loyal. And Christmas is sacred. Family only; attendance mandatory.
The day before this Christmas Eve, mommy called.
"I am too tired to do Christmas Eve this year. I've been doing it since before you were born, and I'm just out of gas. I'm 88, you know." Even tho we bring all the food and drink, just getting the house in order and the table set is too much. And she can't sneak off and have a rest in the middle of Christmas - so we were on our own.
I asked Wally about moving it here, and he said we were having Christmas Day dinner here, and it would just be too much.
Mommy had called all her daughters, my sisters, and I found out later one of them had cried for an hour.
Christmas Eve morning mommy called. The Seattle contingent had arrived late the previous evening, and not having Christmas together was not part of their plan. Thank Goodness.
"Would it be alright if Rick, Carol, Ian, and I came for supper?" she asked about noon on the 24th. No problem, I can rustle up supper for 6 from the pantry (thank you Maria Franceschini and your pomorolo!)
"Sure" I said.
"And may I invite Mary and Brittnee and Debbie and Damon?" she asked.
What could I say? I was so happy we were having family Christmas, I didn't care if we had to eat cinnamon toast for dinner.
I was not going back to Lunardi's - it was crazy busy there, just looking for a parking place was taking your life in your hands... But we had cream and butter, fettucini and parmigiano. And Pomorolo thanks for Maria.
A few nuts, a lot of chocolate. Some of the salad we had planned to serve Christmas day, some pears and apples, and lots of cheese. Helps to be Swiss.
All my sisters brought things - chocolate and snacks, wine and good cheer.
So we had the miracle of the loaves and fishes - there was plenty of food. And we sat and told stories and opened presents and laughed until it was very late and Ally was asleep in mommy's lap, and mommy was nodding off on Ally's lap.
It was a great Christmas. Made more precious for the fact that it almost didn't happen. Christmas Eve is here next year. Mark your calendars.
Not bloody likely. Christmas is about family, and although we are very different people we are fiercely loyal. And Christmas is sacred. Family only; attendance mandatory.
The day before this Christmas Eve, mommy called.
"I am too tired to do Christmas Eve this year. I've been doing it since before you were born, and I'm just out of gas. I'm 88, you know." Even tho we bring all the food and drink, just getting the house in order and the table set is too much. And she can't sneak off and have a rest in the middle of Christmas - so we were on our own.
I asked Wally about moving it here, and he said we were having Christmas Day dinner here, and it would just be too much.
Mommy had called all her daughters, my sisters, and I found out later one of them had cried for an hour.
Christmas Eve morning mommy called. The Seattle contingent had arrived late the previous evening, and not having Christmas together was not part of their plan. Thank Goodness.
"Would it be alright if Rick, Carol, Ian, and I came for supper?" she asked about noon on the 24th. No problem, I can rustle up supper for 6 from the pantry (thank you Maria Franceschini and your pomorolo!)
"Sure" I said.
"And may I invite Mary and Brittnee and Debbie and Damon?" she asked.
What could I say? I was so happy we were having family Christmas, I didn't care if we had to eat cinnamon toast for dinner.
I was not going back to Lunardi's - it was crazy busy there, just looking for a parking place was taking your life in your hands... But we had cream and butter, fettucini and parmigiano. And Pomorolo thanks for Maria.
A few nuts, a lot of chocolate. Some of the salad we had planned to serve Christmas day, some pears and apples, and lots of cheese. Helps to be Swiss.
All my sisters brought things - chocolate and snacks, wine and good cheer.
So we had the miracle of the loaves and fishes - there was plenty of food. And we sat and told stories and opened presents and laughed until it was very late and Ally was asleep in mommy's lap, and mommy was nodding off on Ally's lap.
Merry Christmas sweet friend. I so admire your seemingly effortless way of entertaining.
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