Christmas memories
All day at work on December 24th, I kept a mental image of what was going to greet me later that evening. It was comprised of our traditional Chinese food feast with my brother, sister-in-law, niece, Peggy, Allan, Donna, Sydney, and Lorraine. It has only been the last couple of years that I was a part of this and I have to say how much I appreciate being included. The other great thing about the evening was getting to play their piano (as I do not have one and miss playing very much).
After enjoying our meal (always way too much food), we tend to split off into groups with some doing wrapping, others playing on the X-box, and still others setting the table for Christmas brunch (the next day). While I was helping Janet clear the table, Mike walked into the kitchen and handed me an iPod touch box. He quickly said that it was not a Christmas gift, but they had an extra one sitting around and I might as well have it, so it'll get used. Have I mentioned what a great big brother I have??
Once all of that is out of the way, there only remains the mandatory reading of "Twas the night before Christmas" with each person reading a page or so. Mind you, that is only after the Christmas Teddy, has performed his version of the famous poem.
The highlights for me are: simply being with people who love me exactly as I am, and seeing Janet's face light up when she starts her Teddy Bear reading. She has such an inner child, my sister-in-law. Another highlight is spending time with my niece (who I adore). I don't see her nearly often enough, as she is attending McGill University.
Most of us toddle off to bed at that point, with Peggy on one couch and me on the other one in the family room. Janet stays up to fill our stockings and then retires.
I awake Christmas morning to the unhappy sounds of Mr. Mike (their Lhasa Apso) in his box, and Sara & Lorraine watching tv. Fairly soon after that, we are all in the living room with Janet handing out our stockings (which are always stuffed and overflowing). My stocking this year contained: Twilight: Eclipse DVD, a horse magazine, basics like socks and undies, a chocolate bar, a candle snuffer, a toast grabber, body wash, bubble bath, a warm pair of black gloves, a bottle of red wine, and pajama bottoms. Remember what I said about overflowing? ;o)
Then we move onto presents. I love watching the others as they open their gifts and trying to imprint their expressions into my memory. Peggy (Janet's friend for so many years that she's part of the family now) does not know the meaning of the work overboard. She told me at the beginning that she split with Janet & Mike & Sara on all of my gifts. Something that was completely unnecessary, but tried to accept as gracefully as I could.
Their generosity included: The Vampire Diaries Season 1 DVDs, Apple TV, 4 different serving bowls/plates to go with my set of dishes (that they got me last year), red wine glasses.
After opening the many presents, we clear up the living room before having Christmas brunch. Allan and his crew come over and we sit down to the beautifully appointed table complete with name cards. The spread of food is phenomenal and includes:
- roast duck and stuffing
- turkey and stuffing
- cheese plate with 5 or more types of cheese and crackers
- bagels
- smoked salmon
- blueberry cream cheese
- baked cheese omelette casserole
- peameal bacon
- shrimp
- baked beans
- and more things that I just can't remember at the moment
All in all, it was a wonderful, loving, great day for me. I'm glad I got to write this all down.