This entry is a boatload (or a sleigh-load) of compassion, energy and creativity, with a big Santa sack of hospitality thrown on top! I cannot love this more. So often, we become selfish with the opportunities that come during the holidays. I do think it’s a fine thing to have some private family moments and traditions. But we (I) have to do better about being willing to open our doors and hearts to those who may be a little less likely to be merry-making in current circumstances. This is a “winner” from Deborah Dull:
Christmas was a big deal at my mom’s house. My parents lived in a small community called Zellwood, Florida. On Christmas Eve my mother always had open house for anybody that lived in the community. She had been cooking for days and of course, any leftovers went to the local fire department. My dad played Santa Claus and rode
around town giving out small gifts. when I got married things did not change much. I continued to travel from North Carolina to Florida every year at Christmas time. These are the memories that my daughter has of Christmas at grandmother‘s house.
But as things happen one year, my daughter was gone and my husband and I could not get to Florida. And none of his family was going to be in NC for Christmas. Love the man to death, but I’m not sitting at home on Christmas Day. Just looking at each other. We had a lot of single friends, young and old alike. We called them up and asked them if they would like to come for Christmas morning breakfast. We had eight that first year. And in the years to come, we had as many as 26.
This tradition is what my grandson grew up, knowing about Christmas. That and cutting down a tree on our farm… And after 26 years, he decided to start this tradition at his house, and I was given a break.
