A Family Christmas
Wow. We had a Christmas get-together Saturday at my brother's river house. Our two daughters and granddaughter went along with us. That brother's eldest son (the retired Marine) and his wife was there along with that brother's two daughters and spouses. My youngest brother and his wife were also there with one daughter and one son, and there was a gaggle of various grandchildren. My brother kept a big fire going in the fire pit down by the river so there was a rotating conversation over coffee between there and inside the house. A little after two we had a pitch-in feast then continued to nibble the rest of the day. About five or so there was a gift exchange in a rather clever fashion. The gifts were to be about five dollars. Each woman brought a woman's gift, each man a man's, each boy and girl a boy's or girl's gift respectively. They put numbers on each gift then put a matching number in one of four different cups. Each man drew a number from the men's cup so received the man's present with the corresponding number, and so on. Just a fun thing but it was interesting to see some of the creative gifting.
We'd all taken a bunch of other little, unwrapped gifts and the kids played bingo for these. The bingo rule was the winner could pick the gift, but the first win and first present they chose had to be given to someone they thought would like it, then their succeeding wins they got to keep for themselves. Each of us adults were given such a present by one of the kids, and it was obvious they'd put some thought into picking the right gift for the adult they'd chosen.
The greatest thing about the whole get-together is everyone seemed in really great spirits. No disputes, arguments, disagreements - no unpleasantness in any fashion what-so-ever. Just lots of great eating, great conversations, hugs, and love to share. I don't recall having this many members of our family together for a fun thing since our kids were all at home a quarter century ago. My youngest daughter set her camera on a shelf and activated the time delay so she could get in the picture and snapped a shot of all of us gathered in the dining, kitchen area. I hope it turns out well, it will be a reminder of a great day.
We'd all taken a bunch of other little, unwrapped gifts and the kids played bingo for these. The bingo rule was the winner could pick the gift, but the first win and first present they chose had to be given to someone they thought would like it, then their succeeding wins they got to keep for themselves. Each of us adults were given such a present by one of the kids, and it was obvious they'd put some thought into picking the right gift for the adult they'd chosen.
The greatest thing about the whole get-together is everyone seemed in really great spirits. No disputes, arguments, disagreements - no unpleasantness in any fashion what-so-ever. Just lots of great eating, great conversations, hugs, and love to share. I don't recall having this many members of our family together for a fun thing since our kids were all at home a quarter century ago. My youngest daughter set her camera on a shelf and activated the time delay so she could get in the picture and snapped a shot of all of us gathered in the dining, kitchen area. I hope it turns out well, it will be a reminder of a great day.
posted by Fish-2 at 5:16 AM
4 Comments:
Sounds like a great time was had by all, Fish and one of those family events that will be a pleasant memory for everyone, also.
You are blessed, my friend. All Americans are really blessed. It's sad so many of them don't realize how very blessed they are.
Merry Christmas, Fish. You are someone I have great respect for. Blessings to you and yours.
F.A.N.T.A.S.T.I.C ideas.
something I will keep in mind if our large family ever has an opportunity to get together on such a grand scale.
A firepit, too. That made it even more inviting
hey.. why WASN'T I invited.
Oh, yeah. it was family.
You are blessed. My family would have all been drunk and fighting.
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