On her website, JK Rowling talked about how Harry and Dudley would remain close enough to visit each other during holidays and other times they were "in the neighborhood." She also said Lily, James, and Albus would not look forward to these visits. I can only hope my kids don't see it that way.
How many movies have been made about holiday family visit fiascos? My favorite is the House of Yes, but I don't think that was a holiday. Another good one is The Family Stone. Affliction is pretty rough. What would happen if Hollywood made a "We love each other and all get along movie?" Who would pay to see it? Who would buy into it?
We have had our share of family Christmas adventures. I spent Christmas Eve in the emergency room with a toy top stuck to my finger once. I am sure we had the family screaming matches others have had over whether or not the lights should be white or multi-colored. You know who is going to do what before they walk in the door. Someone might drink too much, someone might tell obnoxious stories about their kids. Someone might talk about how wonderful their job is while another can't stand it and talks about how bad work is. Don't lie, you know it. Despite all of this, we need time together. People need other people.
We loaded up the car today, picked up my mother, and headed to Winston-Salem, just like I have done every year since I was born. It used to be a joke to see who could spot the Reynold's building first. But then we got confused about which building that was and we kept looking at the Wachovia building next to it. The years my mother had to drive were actually the best, because my siblings and I would just wave at all the people passing us. At least no one tried to run us off the road or give us the finger.
The NEXT time I go with my own kids, I will remember more activities for little hands when we go to a retirement community. Today Lowell managed to take all the ornaments off their little tree. Frances dragged out all of the beanie babies my grandmother had been collecting since the 90s, and then Kenneth chucked one at my 83 year old Grandmother's face. I will say this, I got to hand it to her. She said, "Now Kenneth, next time, let me know when I'm the catcher. I LOVE baseball!" I don't know what she would have said thirty years ago if it had been me.
I also LOVE time with my cousins, because I am older than they are. They were babies when I was a teenager. Unfortunately, they are all adults themselves and this makes me really old. It is so cool to get to know them that way. Moe's is our Christmas tradition. Why try to do anything else? Turkey? Sweet potatoes? Bring on the Joey Bag of Donuts!
Friends: Check
Family: Check
Never forget either! Who else can you fight with so well????
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