Friday, December 25, 2009

Winding Down



Today I will be celebrating Christmas with Jewish friends which means going to the movies followed by Chinese food. Those of my tribe who are seriously observant celebrate an anti-Christmas: kung pao instead of goose or ham, the oblivion of the movies as an alternative to gift exchanges and Christmas trees. It's not a hostile tradition, even though it's true that being Jewish is always very weird at Christmas time. It's a special treat for me in particular because I never go to the movies.

Tomorrow Christmas will be done. In spite of how lovely this whole season has been, to be scrupulously honest, I thank God it'll all be over soon. I believe Christmas should be over the top, and indeed this year I tilted face-first into the celebrations. Nevertheless, I'll be relieved when all the wrapping paper has been laid to rest in the recycle bin, when the cookie jar is empty and my normal routines are back in place. I believe I'm the only person I know who loves the month of January.

I am, after all, a creature of habit, which makes me, even when my intentions are pure, a bit of a grinch. Oh well. Onwards & upwards.


Last night's Christmas Eve gathering at Rod and Tom's, my very favorite Christmas tradition. They are hosts with the most. Can you feel the warm, welcoming atmosphere? Smell the delicious dinner? Absolutely fabulous.

13 comments:

steven said...

reya i love to pass through and beyond christmas quickly. when this day is done, then there is something of an echo day tomorrow at my mum's. then it's into turkey korma, that's right curried turkey. blow the season away and settle into the comfort of the bigger world i belong to that begins with the christian and grows logarithmically into the whole world i dance inside and around!!! i love the kung pao shaking off and the inside house collage is so good feeling!!!! sweet dc day reya! steven

Sandra Leigh said...

Christmas this year is weird for me. We had a Solstice celebration with a friend on the 21st. Today, and for the next several days, we are both working - then, on the 29th, we will head to Vancouver for Christmas with the grandbabies. I'm feeling nostalgic for the days when my little girl went flopping around in her Dr. Denton pajamas on Christmas morning.

ellen abbott said...

My son and one of his cousins do exactly that. Movie and chinese food. I'm right there with you Reya. Be glad when it's over. Mine won't be over though until Monday. The husband's birthday is Sunday and that's the day his out of town brethren use to descend on us for the hannacaristmamarcmas. Sounds like a hindu deity. Family bowling party, all generations expected.

Reya Mellicker said...

Bowling parties are good!!

Deborah said...

so with you sista
love and more love than ever

Peaches said...

My Christmas day is very low key, slow, and restful…indulgently lazy without guilt. Then, I have friends and family over for Boxing Day, the day after Christmas, for finger food and conversation. It’s very stress free.
Make a great day!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I would love some Chinese food right about now. I wanna wish you the best for this holiday season. Peace and all things great for you and yours, my dear.

Reya Mellicker said...

Thanks, Corey!!

Ronda Laveen said...

I love, love love January too for its quietness. But, this January is going to be jam packed. It's funny to think that now is my resting time.

When I used to manage the bowl and have to be open on Christmas day, we had many Jewish families coming in to bowl, eat burgers and fries and shoot pool. Quite a busy day actually.

Unknown said...

Hope you have a wonderful day & some good Chinese food!

Linda Sue said...

I love the warmth of the party picture - how everyone is dressed in black. This has been the weirdest christmas ever and continues to be so- we are frozen.
Cheers for january!

The Bug said...

Definitely ready for Christmas to be over. I'm really over all the family dramas - very real ones, not fantasy dramas, but I long for the peace of my own home. I would like a week to recuperate please - do you think my boss will go for it?

California Girl said...

I thought I would be relieved when it was over because so much work is involved. The move delayed our getting out to shop til Dec 23rd!!! aaarrgghh! But, we had only to shop for our two sons and my MIL and a tiny gift for one another. So, it was done. I spent all day yesterday preparing a dinner that turned out great so was much pleased with myself after all.

Happy New Year Reya.