The Holidays

Welcome to my world. Just got my first "holiday" card and it was from my daughter, the bride! Barely back from our Big Chill Thanksgiving week with the newlyweds in their town, I was shocked, somewhat pleased, and annoyed to open her beautiful card. She was ready to send them before Thanksgiving but we held her off until after turkey day. As you may have guessed, she is supremely organized and well, I am not. My techno-savvy daughter did it all via internet - the gorgeous sunset picture of them at the wedding with the mountains gleaming in the background, their names inscribed along with the two Irish liquored named canines on the bottom. There was nary a pen to write, a stamp to lick or an envelope to stuff. Just a click of the Christmas mouse! Meanwhile, I am still trying to find just the right picture off of the 1,200 picture CDs we received from the photographer. One where all FIVE of us are smiling and not closing our eyes. Then I will schlep it to CVS to make copies. At least I did buy all the cards, but today I'll get the stamps at the post office....as Grandma likes to say, "You get the picture!" Or maybe you won't if I don't get my act together.

I thought after marrying into the Jewish faith I was done with Christmas. Yes, it was sad, I mourned and still feel the pang of loss when my honey has to work on Christmas day cause he's the Jewish doctor. No tree for us, no egg nog and cookies. Just eight crazy nights when the kids were young, with something little each night and a big latke party thrown in there with lots of presents for good measure. Let's face it, Hannuka just can't compete with Christmas! We enjoyed caroling with our neighbors in NJ, I sent out a box of goodies to my Irish cousins, and of course my Mother and siblings had to get something...and voila, I was sending out Holiday Cards. The list grew, and this year it will grow some more since we have a new goyisha son-in-law. Somehow, there is something reassuring about handwriting a note and stuffing cards to old neighbors, friends and family. At least, I tell myself that after they are all delivered. I hate to say, but I am the one who told the new bride she must send cards, to her husband's family at least. Everything else is negotiable and totally up to them - the tree, the religion of their progeny, but not the cards!

But back to Thanksgiving. We dropped off the last of the wedding presents we'd been holding for The Couple after our ten hour drive, and arrived at the beautiful Arts and Crafts retreat house to be welcomed by at least thirty wild turkeys. There were only four couples this year, and two adult children with their dates. A small group by most Big Chill standards. We toured the Ryman Auditorium and even took in a great show of the Grand Ole Oprey! We argued over turkey doneness, and knitted and played our way back to a simpler time. We watched movies in the theatre room and hiked. This aging group of hippies had one hip replacement, and one grandbaby (with another on the way - no not mine) so far. We discussed the disappearance of an old friend and subsequently he was found, alive and well and living in Vietnam. The Groom played the piano and tried to catch up on sleep. We almost forgot to make the cranberry sauce. In other words, like most families, we all ate way too much and had a swell time! But I did learn one thing, never ever go to a mall on Black Friday!