XMAS – Saturday – Dec 27

The weekend before Christmas my lovely wife and I went to Nashville for a perfect celebration of the holiday with Alex, Phillip and Hutson and Ellie. We celebrated, even though I generally was ‘out of sorts’ with the world, and with the kids in their universe — with scooters and dolls and toys of all kinds.

Yesterday, Saturday, the 27th, was my beautiful wife’s birthday — hence, her name Christine — and we went, as Aimee and Brian’s guests, to see UNBROKEN. Despite what you may have read and heard, it is a great movie — the opening scenes over land and ocean, the ariel encounter, are worth the price of admission!

We went to Brian and Aimee’s for dinner Xmas Eve, along with their son, Andrew, and it was superb! The main course was a beef tenderloin, and it was roasted to perfection — just right with a horse-radish sauce. Also a hit were the orange, maple-glazed sweet potatoes.

At the table were James, who was visiting Nicky and Dale (Robin and Tom Crabtree’s son — James, not Dale), and Hayden, Emily and Eila Gray (Aimee and Brian’s daughter and Andrew’s sister was Emily Gray — I was completely confused — luckily I was not called upon to make introductions — Robin and Tom Crabtree were not present, but James was, along with Emily and Hayden and Andrew and Eila and Sue and Dick . . . )

Also not present were Nicky, Dale and Jack Burke (Sue and Dick Rhone’s eldest daughter, son-in-law and grandson; they — the Rhones — were both at the table — in fact, Sue sat next to me and helped, as she always did, cut my meat).

The next day was Christmas Day, and we spent that afternoon and evening at Sue and Dick’s (did I mention that Sue was my delightful wife’s older sister? I should have, but I didn’t. Mention it, that is).

We passed out many presents from under the tree, and during a lull in the conversation, I took that opportunity to address the group.for going out and buying these presents for everyone while I, because of my handicap, had to remain at home .

“I want to take this moment to thank my beautiful wife . . “

This turned out to be speech much appreciated. And I was glad I made it.

Dinner that evening turned out to be a Home-Baked ham with mashed potatoes and purple potatoes and Grandmother Rosack’s mustard ring — a delight we always looked forward to, even if Mrs. Rosack is ‘missing in action’.

All in all, this was one Christmas week to be remembered, although I personally could do without the wheelchair, could have been happier to have Alex, Phillip and their kids around the tables at Aimee’s and Sue’s, at the movies (to be sure), and to tuck them in at home.

Well, there’s always next year!


Copyright©2014 by Robert A. Mills, all rights reserved, may not be published, re-written or broadcast without author’s permission