Christmas Day

Memories abound. The earliest years of course, do not pop to mind. I don’t recall my first 3 Christmases. Later ones, yes.

There were the Altadena, CA days, the Mojave Desert days, back to Altadena days, then Glendora, CA. Pittsfield, MA was next for 6 years. A few more in Syracuse, NY. Then it has been Illinois for all the rest. Eighty years of holidays. The first kitten. The first TV. The first bike, wagon, trike. Model cars were big, too. But I remember aching for a bike speedometer.

Christmases as a kid are remembered more than when an adult. I wonder why that is. Oh, I remember the Wheaton, IL holidays. Those were the first house, kids and fireplace. All the pets, as well. So many memories of those days, but afterward? No, I recall after the divorce how I made the new townhome Christmassy. It was a new phase of life that had its own trauma, so I offset it with fresh beginnings.

Rocky and I never made Christmas a big deal between the two of us. We were older adults by the time we got together, so we lived life on our own terms throughout the year without the need of making Christmas a big deal. We kept that for the kids and grandkids.

Now, widower and elderly, Christmas has a singularity to it that blends with every other day of the calendar. Oh, its holiday significance remains but just not personally as it has been.

Age comes with gathered wisdom. What is important and what not seems glaringly simple. Mellow may be viewed as aloof while it truly is personal peace. As we age, we accept what comes. We even know a lot about the things that are coming. We are rarely surprised. We just know.

Meanwhile, we take good deep breaths. We eat at the appropriate times and relish the intake of tasty bits. Snacks are allowed but rarely very large. I’ve never quite been a candy person, but salty snacks, yes! Savory bites are enjoyed as well, but those take more effort.

Naps are frequent. If they aren’t planned, they are still grabbed whenever. That is a perk of our lifestyle. We earned it. We enjoy it. Make no mistake about that!

Memories of past holidays flood past our brain’s window. They are fond to fiddle with. Not urgent or required. Just there. A feel for time’s passage. It is a good thing and feels right.

I don’t have anything to complain about. Wouldn’t matter if it did!

And that’s the truth. Merry Christmas to you all. Enjoy the season whatever your religious background. And just be you.

December 25, 2023

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