Family Gatherings

When people ask me what my favorite childhood memory is, I have to say that Christmas 1979 is at the top of the list. My dad was one of eight kids in an Irish Catholic family. I am blessed to be in this family. The only way to describe what family gatherings were like would be to say that it was loud, passionate, and full of life. People filled all rooms in the house. There were discussions of politics, religion, reminiscing of old times. There were hugs and kisses, teasing and joking, and a bit of resentment thrown in for good measure (although as a kid I didn't pick up on the resentment part). I had all sorts of cousins to play with and we were often sent to eat somewhere away from the grownups and I wouldn't have it any other way!!! The smells of food coming from the kitchen, the plates of hor d'oeurves scattered througout the house, filled my heart with love.

In 1979, my dad's family accomplished an amazing feat. They were able to all come for Christmas. One family came from Alaska and another family came from South Africa. It was the first time in my 10 years that I had celebrated a holiday with everyone present. We had a family portrait taken before Christmas which was the big kick-off to a family celebration.

Christmas day was at my Aunt Kathleen's house. She had long tables for us to sit at and we had Christmas Crackers to open before dinner. Each cracker had a silly paper hat, a joke, and a trinket of some sort. We went down the table, all of us wearing silly hats reading our jokes aloud. My grandparents looked so silly to me but I loved it.

Opening presents took a long time, but it didn't matter. It was noisy, boisterous, and full of life. I remember what I got from my grandparents too. Granny had made her granddaughters vests. Mine was navy blue with a big "M" on the front. The grandsons got Almond Roca. I wore that vest for a few years when it would get cold, but not quite cold enough for a jacket.

Dessert was served and us kids got to pass it out. I loved to do the coffee. The big industrial percolater was fun to use, but walking across a crowded room trying not to spill or burn my skin was the challenge.

Holidays in my family meant that you stayed up until the wee hours while my parents talked and talked. I always fell asleep in the car. The celebration did not end as we spent New Year's Day together as well. I remember thinking that it would be so quiet when my family would go back to their daily routines and not see each other almost every day like we did that Christmas break.

Being a part of this family means so much to me. My family has demonstrated over and over again what family means. It is about gathering and loving each other, even during hard times. In 1983 when my grandpa died, I saw my family gathered again, only under devistating circumstances. We grieved together. Again, in 1985, when my dad died suddenly and much too young, my family gathered again. This time they supported me and my mom & brother. We grieved together again. Family gatherings became very important to me after that, because I felt loved, I could feel the presence of my dad there. I miss those days when everyone was alive, young, and so energetic.

By 2009, my granny and my Aunt Sheila have joined my dad & Gramps in heaven. I wonder what it's like for them there and are they preparing our place for our eventual gatherings? I suspect it's a lot like when I was a kid, my granny laughing and talking about old times. My aunt hugging everyone, and my dad and gramps arguing about something. I suppose that I'll find out when my time comes.

So, 1979 was the last holiday we all gathered to celebrate. Now we gather in smaller groups as we have moved around the country. It's okay, because despite smaller numbers, I feel that love that somehow is hard to describe. I am eternally grateful for being in an Irish Catholic family (even if I'm not a practicing catholic). It made me who I am and defines me. I love my family.

Christmas Is Coming.....

It's that time of the year when I wake up each morning and think, what do I have to do today in order to be ready for Christmas? Ugh....is this the way we are to celebrate our Savior's birth? Our family's gift list has been pared down quite a bit in the last couple of years, so it's not so overwhelming and budget busting. I love the idea of homemade gifts and I'm even attempting that this year. In the midst of the countdown to the 25th, I have to stop and think. Think about the TRUE meaning of Christmas. I think about Mary and what she went through. She was engaged to Joseph and was pregnant with the son of God. By all accounts, she could have been punished and sentenced to death, but Joseph knew what was going on. The angels told him and so he supported her. I've often wondered what their relationship was like, as we don't really know.

Mothers love their babies, no doubt about it, but Mary's baby was special. How was it for her to raise her son? How was it for her to let him go to fulfill his destiny? I can't imagine.

I put out the decorations, wrap the gifts, attempt to get in some baking, listen to my favorite Christmas music, and ask God to put in my heart the feeling that Christmas should have.

It's time to rejoice in the ultimate love and sacrifice that He gave us. It's time to reflect on how I can become more Christ-like. It's time to stop and listen to those around me who are hurting and who are in need. It's time for Christmas.