Journal of a Living Lady #144
It’s Christmas time again. Last year we were scurrying around, trying to get the last present wrapped and the celery chopped. This year we are scurrying around, trying to get the last presents wrapped and the celery chopped. Next year, the Lord willing, we will again be trying to get the last present wrapped and the celery chopped. Something is strikingly similar about this scenario.
A couple of decades ago it was my parents scurrying around, trying to get the last presents wrapped and the celery chopped. In the next decade, I suppose it will be my daughter-in-law scurrying around, trying to get the last presents wrapped and the celery chopped. Three decades later, it will likely be her child doing the same.
Tradition. It is a part of the circle of life, whereby someone exits, and another joins in.
I love Christmas. I really do. Well, most of it. I think the season is grossly commercial. But, without the holidays, would we ever gather the family together from near and far? Would there be any emphasis on the birth of Christ? Traditions aren’t necessarily bad…unless you are traditionally up to no good.
A friend had this Aunt Bea who had a big heart. She also had a nosey nose. At Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings, she would routinely go to the host’s bathroom to mentally grade their cleanliness or lack thereof and to spy on the contents of the medicine cabinet.
One holiday, Aunt Bea quietly excused herself to make her usual pilgrimage to inspect the bathroom. The knowing eyes of every guest followed her exit. The bathroom was tidy enough and the contents of the medicine cabinet arranged neatly. However, the shower curtain was drawn closed across the four-foot expanse. This made Aunt Bea suspicious. She expected to find the tub cluttered with last-minute, stashed trash.
Gleefully, Aunt Bea flung back the shower curtains to expose the suspected sloppiness of her niece. Instead, hanging on the wall, was a huge hand-lettered sign covered with red glitter. It said, “Hello, Aunt Bea! Do I pass inspection?” Aunt Bea didn’t reappear for quite a long time.
Merry Christmas, dear readers! Enjoy the holiday and come back next year.
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nancyk@alltel.net
