This season of the holidays hasn't always been a favorite time at all. It was a season to endure and the countdown and marking off the days on the calendar began a little before Thanksgiving and ended around January 14th, which was my father's birthday. In hindsight and with a better understanding of what was happening I now can see more of the reason why this season was so unbearable. The air filled with unrealistic expectations, sabotage, cluelessness and naivety. There is always a beam of hope here and there for uneventful holidays but alas, hope could be dashed in a moment's wrong word or decision.
While reading an article on the Christmas tradition at Swanee University, formally known as University of the South. I began to think about those hopes and dreams that kept me going and how I wanted desperately to be a part of some kind of tradition that would transpose the years. I think that is why Baylor University held such an allure. The thought of college reunions and the remembrance of those years, trying to get through our studies and finals to be a graduate of a university full of traditions. After those college years of being at Southwest Texas and then the total let down of attending U of H, life felt traditionless, well the kind of traditions one would like to experience. Roy and I have traditions and ways we celebrate but I remember being so influenced by a tennis friend. She and her family were so sophisticated and holiday celebrations included elaborate centerpieces and dressing up for holiday dinners and such. I tried talking to my mother about beginning some of those things, but she knew and I knew that is not who we were. We also knew something like this would send my father into a spiral. Those were never fun times. It is always good to remember some traditions aren't meant for the long haul...kids grow up and don't want to make Happy Birthday Jesus cakes or act in a nativity as the Christmas story is read aloud for friends and family. It is good to remember that college isn't just the experience but it rather a preparation for the future and the future lives we live and how our work influences or changes products or services or whatever....for the better. I just wanted to be a part of something where I was wanted and included. Traditions held an allure of my own unrealistic expectations.
Roy and I have had several years of doing whatever for the holidays. We came up to The Inn on the Biltmore Estate, our first Christmas stay held 9 inches of snow. We spent several Thanksgivings and Christmas' here. Now we have a home here. Yesterday, Roy made our traditional big breakfast of eggs, bacon and biscuits. We had a leisurely day. Since it didn't get above freezing, we grilled our steaks indoors in a cast iron grill pan. They were delicious. Our friends Gene and Angela invited us over for chili Christmas evening. We had a wonderful time and learned how to play Mexican Train.
The morning came too quickly as we had to be up and ready to get SequishShawn to the body shop for his repairs. Enterprise Rental Cars did not answer their phone for the pick up, so we went there to get a car before going to the shop. The time estimate for the truck is Friday. I sure hope they can fix things by then. We came on home afterwards for a brief stop and then headed out to Waynesville. While we were there we bought a new printer and had lunch at The Haywood Smokehouse. Roy got the printer hooked up or rather WiFi-ed up and I began putting away a few Christmas things. We had been trying to find when our schedules were compatible to meet up with Brenda. She came over bearing gifts, Christmas gifts which included a lot of sheep related items and some food related items. Yum! We knew how much she loves brisket, so we had brought her a plate and two sides...and she ate a very late lunch here before returning home.
The week has caught up with Roy so he is relaxing with Netflix. Buddy has decided to sit on my lap while I blog. The Feral Fam seems to be doing well and all four were seen today, eating and playing. Even Mama Cat got into the action.
Well, Christmas 2017 is in the books. It has been a good season and now it is time to put this season away for another year.
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