Holidays Away

This will be my first Christmas away from the family.  It doesn’t seem like much of a mile marker but we’re a tight-knit clan and I’m not sure I’ve ever missed Christmas with Grandma and the gang in my 29 years on this Earth. 

 

When Samantha and I decided on the very dramatic honeymove it seemed lovely symbolism of starting our lives together; not just our own branch but our very our own sapling of a family tree.  Honestly this still holds true and I wouldn’t change it for the world but there are some pangs as a cost.  Rather than watching younger family open toys, older family open oddities and whiskey, eating too much and falling asleep on my grandmother’s couch I will be visiting with friends in Oregon.  I’m sure it will be a lovely affair, and I’ve said this in many a call and card, but know we miss you all.

 

On the plus side this trip will take us through the Cascade Mountains!  I will later entertain you with actual photos of the trip but for now I’ll just post a map.

 

I’m looking forward to driving through Shasta National Forrest.  I don’t know that they have the redwoods there but here’s hopin!  There will be two other top-secret destinations to be shared at a later time so look forward to that.  Know that they sound awesome in theory.

 

But back to nostalgia!  As this is my first away I thought it would be a fantastic time to share my favorite Christmas memories.  Mostly I have a running memory of putting up my grandmother’s tree and decorating the basement for the Christmas party.  If you asked me now I’d tell you I certainly did this every year for a decade on end but it’s more likely it was a 3-5 year stint.  Still though, I really took ownership a few times there and had a blast listening to carols and laying the train track around a tiny Christmas town. 

 

As to a specific memory I’d have to say the year I needed dental work of some kind done.  I was young and I was in terrible pain and laid up at Grandma’s house.  I don’t remember what had happened (I swear I was a regular brusher!) but it was awful.  I remember feeling like I’d be in trouble for poor hygiene but really my parents were more concerned with my comfort.  They brought me an early gift of a Flintstone’s NES game to take my mind from the pain and I believe a dentist came in on Christmas Eve or Christmas Eve’s eve from vacation to care for me.  I loved that game and while every kid loves attention I remember feeling cared for more than fawned over.  Warm fuzzies abound.

 

I’m gonna try something a little different and see if we can’t get this a little more interactive.  So you go ahead and share below:  What are your favorite Christmas memories?  Or what will you be doing this year?  What do you wish you’d be doing instead?

 

I look forward to hearing from everyone and if I don’t get another chance to say it, “Have a holly jolly Christmas/Holiday season!”