Tradition X2

It's the season of tradition.  Traditions make people feel secure.  "What do you do for Christmas?" Over the years I've been asked this question many times.  The answer.  Always made me take a deep breath before the many events came rolling off my tongue.  Ya know.  Granny's house for Christmas Eve.  But before that we have a light dinner and gift opening at Grandma and Papa's.  Christmas morning at our house, followed by afternoon Christmas dinner at Grandma and Grandad's.  Whew.  Is that it?  So some years ago I insisted we start our very own, Momma made the best prime rib dinner ever dinner tradition so my chilins' could remember the sweet Christmas aroma in our own home.

The last two years have been a mixture of tradition and new experiences for this jolly season.   Last Christmas, while in a grieving fog,  my "fine figure of a man" and I set out for my first international experience to visit our son in England.  Christmas Day was celebrated on the White Cliffs of Dover.  It was a rainy, blustery day.  One we will never forget.

This year Trevor was stationed in Tucson, Arizona, so we headed south.  After 20 hours of hard core driving by my “fine figure of a man” and myself, we arrived in Tucson, Arizona, for Christmas.  We spent the night with my sister and boys in Orange County the first night and enjoyed family time with the Birminghams. 

 

Christmas Eve 2013.  We had a few errands to run before starting our prime rib dinner.  Trevor and dad took off for the inner grid of the city streets with me, "Mrs. Garmin", following closely behind in the other white Camry.  We were looking for a specific store so I could purchase my “fine figure of a man” a present he has always wanted but has never gotten.  I immediately found a radio station and blared the Christmas music with my window down.  I left the two holiday shoppers at an undisclosed location (I say undisclosed because I haven’t a clue where it was) and set out with Mr. Garmin as my trusty assistant. 

I arrived at the Boot Barn uneventfully.  The sales lady was helpful and efficient.  Selecting line #2 of two was an easy decision.  That’s when it fell apart.  The line didn’t seem to be moving and was getting longer on both registers.  Everyone was getting a little antsy, doing the foot shift while trying to maintain their last minute Christmas attitude.  The computers went down and the poor sales people were scrambling.  So, after quite a bit of time, I left the store with present in hand.

Returning to the East grid to find my guys, seemed smooth as well.  Garmin and I.  “In 3.2 miles, turn left on Palo Vedre” he sang as we went from stop light to st  After turning right on E. Broadway, I felt pretty smug about driving in Tucson.  That was obviously a problem, being smug.  I was headed to “Jason’s Deli” to enjoy a Christmas Eve lunch with the guys.  That was a problem.  I couldn’t find my final destination.  After a couple of phone calls and a melt down, I finally saw my guys.  Standing on E. Broadway like a couple of concerned citizens.  Turns out that my friend Garmin didn't know what side of the road I needed to be on.  Needless to say, it was an adventure.  Sure hope my “fine figure of a man” likes his present.

 

 

 

Our traditional prime rib dinner X2 (because we celebrated with Tanner and Michelle in Bend a couple of weekends ago with the same prime rib dinner) went off without a hitch.  The nice family Trevor invited to share with us was delightful and fun.  Their 3 year old son Levi even asked if I could go home with them.  Warmed my heart and I darn near abandoned Grant and Trevor for this sweet guy. 

 

Merry Christmas friends!  May the love of Jesus Christ prove to be the greatest gift of all this holiday season!