Christmas Eve.
There are, of course, still presents to be wrapped. And lists to be checked. Likely cupboards to be checked, too, because I do follow in my mother’s footsteps and file things away in odd places to be forgotten and then remembered never quite too late.
And the oven is still on. We’ve been baking crackers tonight. We were asked to contribute light pre-turkey nibbles for the feast tomorrow which, to me, sounded like veggies and dip and maybe a few crackers. Being a little mad, I thought baking crackers with the Spouse on Christmas Eve would be lovely and cosy. The plan was we’d tuck the kids into bed and set to jolly work. But one kid is coughing out the remainder of her cold, and the other is tossing and turning, too hot-too cold, and I’m hoping it’s nerves rather than fever about to erupt. The fact that something (not the crackers) was burning in the oven and the kitchen turned progressively blue didn’t quite help with the atmosphere. But the Spouse will pull out the last of the crackers in a moment and then we’ll get more windows open and maybe even sit down together.
It’s been a bit of a messy day, but a good one. We had a great afternoon at the neighbours’ house. An elaborate jam session, then raucous carolling. Blue found a trumpet that sounded like a harmonica, and Beangirl a triangle. The Spouse was on ukulele, the neighbour dad played guitar, and I tried to carry a tune. We made a lot of noise, ate too many mince pies (perhaps), then went back to their house for a curry feast. Kids jumbled together on the sofa, a couple of them coughing, all delightedly watching Christmas specials on TV as the rice cooked and the dads played through their Pogues repertoire in the kitchen. I got to dance with their baby girl, a sweet little bundle. Last year, the fact of her was announced to us on Christmas Eve, around the same table, eating another curry feast. Tonight, the kids were already plotting next year – suggesting the curry might be replaced – and wondering what instrument they could get the baby to play by then.
There is no Family Service at church this evening. Sadly, it isn’t a tradition for the families of our church. But they will gather tomorrow morning, which is a new tradition for us. The church fills up with kids – some local, some visiting local grandparents – and we talk about gifts and giving. Last year, Blue brought in his new hobby horse to show to everyone. I’m wondering what he’ll want to bring this year.
And then, in the afternoon tomorrow, we’ll be in another full house for another feast, this time with family friends. They have known me all my life and have grandkids to play cousins with my own brood. It’s our third Christmas away from immediate family, but we’re feeling so lucky to find ourselves included in these full houses elsewhere. Traditions shift and adapt. We fill our days and sometimes they get messy. We find ways of being together in the midst of the dark nights. We sing and play as best we can. We look to the light.
Good night to you and yours and Merry Christmas.
