Letters from David: That One Year...

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Every family has some type of Christmas tradition. Some involve opening one present Christmas Eve or preparing a special Christmas meal. Up until the age of eight I had spent every Christmas at my maternal grandmother, Mimi’s, house. She always had the BIGGEST Christmas tree set up next to her large fireplace. With my sister, four cousins, and myself, there would be a virtual cornucopia of presents awaiting under that giant tree.

Once we moved to St. Simons Island, my parents decided to start a new tradition by giving

my sister and me a special Christmas tree ornament commemorating something big that had happened to us that year.

Speaking of Christmas traditions, I am probably the only 54 year-old man you know who has spent literally EVERY Christmas with his parents – except one. A long time ago, I spent Christmas with my then-fiancée, Beth, or as my mom would later refer her, “She Who Must Not Be Named” (SWMNBN, for short). Since SWMNBN’s parents were divorced, we spent Christmas at the houses of both of her parents. We had celebrated Christmas Eve at SWMNBN’s mom’s with a typical family Christmas dinner. On Christmas morning, off to SWMNBN’s father’s house we went. As we sat around the tree, SWMNBN’s brother handed out presents. Now, half the fun of getting a Christmas present is tearing off the wrapping paper with unbridled enthusiasm, am I right?!

So, I ripped the wrapping paper off the oh-so obvious tie box, and tossed it on the floor. As I looked up, SWMNBN, her dad, dad’s new girlfriend, and brother were all staring at me in horror. I looked over to SWMNBN for help, but got nothing. Turns out her dad’s Christmas tradition was NO CHRISTMAS WRAPPING PAPER ON THE FLOOR! He leaned over to me and said, “we put the paper in the trash BEFORE we open the gift.” Later that day, SWMNBN’s dad took us to see Titanic at the movies. As I sat there in the darkness, watching the movie, I could relate to Leonardo DiCaprio being on a sinking ship.

I treasure EVERY Christmas with my parents. If you have a holiday tradition, be sure to celebrate it. Me? I’ll be tearing the paper off my presents this year and dropping the paper right on the floor!

We at Elegant Island Living wish you and your family the Very Merriest of Christmases and a and a Happy New Year!