Cassy’s Corner- Getting Ready for the Holidays

Well, this post started out hours ago. Many many hours ago. Remember, I'm six hours ahead of east coast time. Then, the high winds came in and the power went out. It's become a joke that when I'm here the weather takes over. The electricity has just come back on. My husband is disappointed because he really liked all the candles I had around the house. But, lordy, I was beginning to worry about the food in the fridge, not being able to charge my phone, and of course, getting my post up and running. So, with no more delay, here are my ramblings.

I am out of the country for this holiday. Our grown children, one with a husband and one with a dear friend are arriving in the next few days. This is the second time we’ve had the Christmas holiday in Italy. It has been both a freeing and challenging experience. It has led me to think about traditions, about what “has” to be, and what is really okay.

In my family we have only a few traditions, but they somehow stand tall and immobile. A particular breakfast pastry, we call horns, is mandatory. The recipe has been passed from my mother to me. Given that I have a sister and a brother who could clearly be the makers of the horns seems slightly irrelevant. As in every family, there are jobs. Mine has been making of the horns. I have shipped horns in tin containers across many state lines, just to be sure that stale or not, horns are on the table.

Not this year. It was very hard to let go. Very hard to not have the guilt creep in along the edges. Very hard to not feel as though I was letting my family down. But, it also was the year to say, “The horns are wonderful, but I just can’t drive myself crazy.” Phew, big step for me.

I have also let go of many of my other “musts.” Usually under the tree is a pile of gifts that is staggering. I have some odd desire to watch my children and husband strip away the wrapping paper as they enjoy the bounty. Nope. Not this year. There are plenty of goodies for everyone, but not an overstatement.

I worried about immigration and customs, worried about traveling with bags (we only do carry-on), worried about encumbering folks with the bits and pieces they don’t really need to own. And, I made a decision.

This year it would be simple. We handled the travel for all of us and made that the major gift. We will feed people. We will house people. We will sit around the fire snuggled under blankets. We will cram into a car not really made for six people and hope there is no issue with the winding roads and dark nights as we head out for a hearty dinner in a trattoria that doesn’t have a menu. We will share the meal preparations (vegetarian for some, heavy duty meat for others).

I have decided this might just be the best Christmas ever. A time together without the requirements that grow over the years.

I wish each of you a healthy and happy holiday. May your New Year bring all that you hope.

With blessings, Cassy