Hope Santa Is Good To You!

"Hope Santa is good to you". That's what my Dad always says whenever he calls anyone...family, relatives, friends anytime around Christmas. Of course, after Christmas he changes to "Hope Santa was good to you".

My family has a yearly tradition where every family member that is able shows up at my parents house on Christmas Eve. Friends, boyfriends, girlfriends, and second cousins twice removed are welcome. My parents go all out and cook for two days prior in preparation for the feast. Attendance usually numbers in the low 30's to the mid-50's....mostly immediate family and some friends.

Here's a pic from our family reunion this past August with some (not all) of my family...

In the spirit of recycling, here's an ode to my family that I wrote back in Dec 2004. Keep in mind I was living in FL at that time which reflected some of the phrases I used.

Merry Christmas to those of you that celebrate and oh yeah...hope Santa is good to you!

For My Family (24 Dec 2004)

‘Twas the night before Christmas
And I’m on the phone
My family’s in CA
And I’m here alone

A yearly tradition
Takes place once again
The whole crowd comes over
Eats, drinks, and settles in

My parents have been cooking
For over two days
More food than you can fathom
It’s our Irish-Hungarian ways

There’s ham, turkey, meatballs
Dinner rolls too
Aunt Maggie’s Jello Salad
And yeah, lots of booze

The house is crammed tight
With sisters and brothers
Dozens of cousins
And numerous others

Then suddenly the phone rings
Yep, that would be me
Calling to chat
With Diane then Denise

Tommy, then Matthew
Dad, Mom, Nichole &Terry
Patrick my brother
They all sound so merry

Then Mike, Kelly, Lindsay
Auntie Chele and Brian
Jeff, Casey, Erika,
I wanna start cryin’

Devon, Darian, Heather
Lori, Mr & Mrs G
Hopefully Patrick and maybe Damaris?

My family’s all there
And me, I am not
I’m back here in FL
80 degrees, humid and hot

I miss them so much
And love them much more
So I call on Christmas Eve
Instead of walking thru their door.

I talk to everyone
To see what is new
To tell them I love them
I know they love me too

Thank goodness for phone calls
It’s part of the night
It’s just like I’m with them
And that feels just right

Merry Christmas, Guys... I Love You!

Comments

[Katie]

Merry Christmas! What a lovely poem!! Peace.