Christmas is a grand time of year, but a strange time as well. People help other people out when they normally couldn’t be arsed to do so. It ensures us that there is hope for humanity after all. I did my bit and gave more than I could afford, but that’s what it is all about, yes? Mind you, I’m not complaining. I have a warm place to stay and a roof over my head. That’s more than a lot of people have. I do my best to remind myself of that every holiday season.
I’m going to do my best in the new year to stop griping as much and stop using emoticons. I loath and love the holidays. As a single man, I’m reminded more than ever how lonely a single life can be. I don’t normally tend to think of it, because I have so much school work and work that has to be done. But, with the free time allotted during the cheery season, I’m reminded more than ever. Family ask me over and over, “When are ya goin’ get married, JD”? Or, they’ll tag this one on. “Is there a woman in yer life, JD?”
As if I didn’t feel out of sync already. Thanks Family. They mean well. That’s just their way of saying hurry up and get married. My Aunt asked me on Christmas Eve like she always does, so I thought I’d mess with her a bit.
“So, Jefferson, any woman in your life?”
”I sure do.” I stated with an enormous grin.
“Tell us ‘bout her…what’s she like?” She asks while smiling and sitting down in an antique shield back dining chair.
“Well, she can be cold at times, but she warms up…oh boy.” I enounced with enthusiasm.
“Really? How old is she?”
“She’s fit and has plenty of curves, but she’s 45.”
“Ah, an older woman, aye?”
“Yep, but you’d never know it by looking at her”, I said with even more enthusiasm.
“Is she a redhead?”
“Nope. The only problem I have with her is that she’s blue.”
“Oh, she’s depressed…Why didn’t you bring her tonight?” Auntie asked with curiosity.
“I couldn’t fit everyone in her.” I stated whilst trying not to laugh.
Dazed and confused, she asked, “What?”
“She’s a ‘66 Volkswagen Beetle.”
Everyone busted into laughter and I was picked on for the rest of the night.
Christmas was rife with drama not caused by me. Christmas Eve, sister1, niece, nephew, and myself went over to my fathers mothers house as is the tradition. My pops, stepmother, 4 more sisters, grandmother, two Uncles, and 2 Aunts were there to enjoy some food and watch the wee one’s open presents. We all had a blast until there was some drama between sister1 and our father. It was mostly her doing, but there are a lot of bad feelings there. Things I’ve learned to accept and move on from. It’s not healthy to hold onto bad things from the past. The past is the past for a reason. It shapes us, but it does not define us.
After the drama was over, I took them home and came home to an empty house. But, I started working on photos and forgot all about it. The four glasses of wine might have helped. Christmas morning, I arose before dawn and went to my sisters to watch my niece and nephew open presents. My niece is 14 months old. It’s entertaining to watch the wee one’s figure out how to open a present. I helped my nephew put together a big gaming chair he received from Santa.
Later that afternoon, I took my special chocolate oatmeal cookies to my other grandmothers house for Christmas lunch. There was a wee bit more drama, but not as much as there was Christmas Eve. I came home to an empty house yet again Christmas night and passed out. The day after Christmas, I got a call from my mother. She had just purchased me a new couch and wanted me to come pick it up. As it happened, my neighbour needed a new couch, so after two hours of getting the old and massive couch out of my house, I gave it to him. My cousin and one of his boys came over and helped me get the new one in as well as getting old one out. It was a task and a half.
I’ve spent the rest of the week sick with a cold. The new couch has been thoroughly broken in though. Hopefully the new year will bring good tidings to me and to you as well.
So, how was your Christmas?
