MEMORIES OF TWO CHRISTMASES

Writing about Ashley's birth made me remember our first Christmas with her when she was but one week old. We were in Lawton, OK, as I said, living in a little 2 bedroom furnished duplex in town as opposed to on the base at Fort Sill which was full. I was still recovering from the long labor and birth and the genius was doing his duties as a husband and new father.

Our meals consisted of mostly frozen dinners or sandwiches which he prepared, while I was busy taking care of our new baby. When Christmas Eve rolled around both of us were getting pretty tired of the routine, not to say the frozen dinners. (I've never really gotten over my initial impression of them.)

Ashley was the third grandchild on my side of the family, but she was the first on the paternal side. My in-laws were ecstatic over her arrival and had sent a mountain of presents to her for her first Christmas. In addition, there were many gifts from other friends of the family all wrapped and sitting under the tree for Christmas. Of course, we had quite a few gifts ourselves because this was our first Christmas away from home.

That night after dinner (thankfully, I don't remember what it was) we were sitting in the living room ready to collapse for yet another sleepless night when we made the momentous decision to open just ONE present. The delight of "breaking the rules" was so great that we decided to open just ONE more. Of course, you can guess what happened: By the time we were through, every gift was opened and the floor was covered with wrapping paper from one end to the other.

We were NOT sorry the next morning and once our three children were grown, we have done the same thing with them. Every Christmas Eve we get together with whoever is in town to eat a big meal and afterwards open our gifts.

That means that Christmas Day is one of rest and relaxation and eating leftovers.

Tomorrow I will share everyone's MOST memorable Christmas!