We were 23 on Christmas day.
The oldest was my 90 year-old grandmother, down from Yorkshire.
The youngest my 14 month niece.
My sister orchestrated it all.
My "little" brother cooked.
The high-tech guests set up a mini cinema.
The roving guest played us mandolin and dog tricks.
The rich guest paid for the wine.
Everyone brought a glut of desserts.
Was it sacrilegious to project "Some like it Hot" onto an old Baptist Church Altar wall?
It felt right.
It was good day.
Good people, good food, good entertainment, and a good decision to keep numbers high, which means we can function as a family. Frictions could be lost in the undergrowth of many lovely guests. There were enough people for everyone to be in good company and still avoid each other! It brought out the best in all of us. I'll fully admit I'm a sensitive explosive one. I want to shout about the elephant in the room. I don't want to curb my desire for honesty, but don't want to be emotional or angry. In the midst of this learning I'll buffer myself between lovely guests. Wearing moustaches definitely helped.
Live music, children chasing each other, lounging, over-eating, Ruben dressed as Father Christmas (no photo!): This year it felt like a real party and brought our little community together, and the whole was bigger than the sum of all the parts. And I am thankful.
I hope that those who drop by here have had good celebrations. Thank you for your company too.
3 comments:
oh my goodness that looks lovely! I understand the need to scream at family functions. I have been biting my tongue all week (ahhh! my brother in law! arrrrrrrggggg). We were in dire need of funny mustaches.
What a great party/celebration Alix!
Wish you a great year 2008 :)
CONGRATULATIONS to a perfect Christmas!!!!!! :)
Ours was tiny, tiny compared to yours but it had a good spirit so I was VERY content with it nevertheless...
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