“The Crack of Dawn”

           “Santa came!” rang throughout the house.

         Sometimes, these words resounded as early as two or three in the morning. I know now that often my parents stayed up late into the night assembling the pink cardboard sink and refrigerator set (with burners that glowed when you turned them on) or the various bicycles we received throughout the years. Never once did they complain. Never once did they tell us it was too early to get up or send us back to our rooms. Christmas day began the moment one of us bounced out of bed.

         I carried on the same tradition with my son, Paul. His excitement fueled our energy as we’d open all of our gifts in the dark of the predawn, warmed by the tree lights and the pleasure of surprises. Everyone oohed over various presents. Someone clicked on the television to Christmas movies, and our day piddled along with food and family, and a long and lazy afternoon nap for everyone.

         I have friends who have rules for Christmas. I cannot imagine why a day of indulgence should have rules. One friend insisted her kids let her sleep late as part of their gift to her! Another friend has the entire family sit down to a scrumptious breakfast before a single gift can be opened. Then every dish has to be washed and put away before her family opens their presents from family members. Santa gifts sit untouched under the tree until after their dinner later in the day.

         I believe teaching delayed gratification is an important lesson, but not on Christmas day! I love our mad dash to the tree, the ecstatic squeals of delight as we rip through the wrapping paper. I love the sea of paper, tissue, and boxes that lap knee high around us in the living room. I love our lazy afternoons of catnaps and idle chats.

Copyright Elizabeth Abrams Chapman 2011

Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

“Giving Thanks”

         This year, we celebrate Thanksgiving a few days late because my brother must work Thanksgiving Day. With so many people unemployed, I consider my brother’s job as one item on my “Giving Thanks” list. His job doesn’t pay much, but it offers medical insurance and paid vacations. It offers him security in an insecure world.

         This year, we celebrate Thanksgiving without a turkey. My mother’s Huntington’s Disease causes her to have difficulty eating many foods, and unless I run turkey through the puree cycle of the blender, it’s not something she can eat. Instead, I’ll bake chicken thighs since the dark meat’s texture is easier for her to swallow. I’ll make our family recipe of homemade noodles to ladle over mashed potatoes and bread dressing. I purchased five different pies and whipped cream for a topping. I will be “Giving Thanks” for celebrating another holiday with my mother’s wry humor and shy smile.

         This year, we celebrate Thanksgiving with a smaller group than last year, not because of death or hardship, but because our family members must visit other parts of their families. What a wonderful reason for a quieter holiday! When you love, honor, and respect someone, you encourage him or her to spend time with different branches within the family tree. I find myself “Giving Thanks” that we will enjoy other holidays together.

         This year, we celebrate Thanksgiving with visits from special friends throughout the long weekend. I like how the tradition of this holiday extends beyond Thursday! I look forward to Friday chats and Saturday brunch. I’ll be “Giving Thanks” for lifelong friends who open their hearts to us and spend their time with us.

         This year, we celebrate Thanksgiving with remembrances of those we’ve lost. For many of my friends, this Thursday marks the first empty place setting, and I know how difficult it is to summon smiles when there’s heartbreak. Eventually, the emptiness and numbness subsides. For me, I’m glad to be “Giving Thanks” to the memory of Dad’s football whoops and nonstop commentary of plays.

         This year, we celebrate Thanksgiving with joy. Each and every day that ends with our good health and sanity deserves recognition! I cannot forget to be “Giving Thanks” for all of the little details that make our world so beautifully grand.    

Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman

“A Family’s Spin”

Smiles—   

masks worn to hide empty souls   

Hugs—   

embraces feigning loving devotion   

Laughter—   

covers of shrill condemnation and lies   

Closeness—   

disguises of endless discord   

Piety—   

prayers smugly offered for self-adulation   

Family—   

actors preforming prescribed scripts   

Copyright 2011 Elizabeth Abrams Chapman