The way I remember it...

 

          The way I remember it....  I remember every Christmas was the same... dozens of people at my parents house standing around talking... just talking.

             My mom always had a mountain of food on the table... glazed ham, roast beef, turkey... all the cookies, pies, cakes you could ever hope to eat and no one touched a thing... not a single potato chip. No music, no alcohol, no one even sat down... just talked.

            By 2:00 in the afternoon, my grandfather closed the store and made his way to my parent’s house.

          When he came in... no one spoke, no one moved. Grandpa always sat in the same chair... no other when he came to the house. At the moment he sat down my mother would hand him a beer.

          Every year was the same... he took it... took a sip and said ‘Merry Christmas’ raising the bottle.  At that moment the room exploded into music, laughter and cheerful voices, food and drink... all at the same instant.

          Now it was Christmas... Grandpa said so.

Reviews

[Jade]

reminds me of my grandpa somewhat, very nicely presented.

[Nolo Segundo]

this reminds me of my own grandparents-- my Pop-pop too had his own special chair that no one else could use (I still miss them 40 plus years later)--nicely done, Tegon (cool name)

[Wendy Seames Garner]

What a great memory, Tegon! Funny how we all celebrate so differently. Is it your turn now, do you declare it Christmas?

[Tegon Maus]

Nothing like that Wendy... I was raised in a very strict German family. My Grandfather ruled everything and everyone in the family... myself included. When he died everything changed and everyone drifted away... free to do as they please. I have no desire to hold reign over mine or theirs.

[Wendy Seames Garner]

My paternal grandfather was German. My grandpa was always sitting in the chair by the front window, so he could see what all the neighbors were doing. I was always scared of him, he seemed so gruff. Grandma was our world, the best cook and baker you will ever find. When my dad tried to spank me, she cried and wouldn't let him.

[Sam]

I'm so in love with this! The line, "Now it was Christmas.. Grandpa said so." ties everything together so perfectly! Keep up the great work :)

[Laura S-C]

Wow I liked this and {not but} am not quite sure what to say.