Read all of Brett's and other great columns by subscribing to The Power County Press today!
So it goes
by Brett Crompton
The structure and dynamics of the family are ever-changing. And at no time is it more evident than during the Christmas season.
I still remember vividly my two brothers and two sisters and I waiting with great anticipation for the time to arrive when we could quietly start digging into our stockings to whet our appetites for what might await us under the Christmas tree – silently squealing at the goodies Santa had left behind. Then waiting for the sounds of Mom and Dad rustling and clearing the sleep from their eyes so we could all gather around the Christmas tree, eyes wide with anticipation for the unceremonious frenzy as wrapping was torn from our gifts.
Spin forward about 25 years and the same picture was unfolding once again, only this time it was Debbie’s and my two sons awaiting their opportunity to dive into a healthy helping of Santa’s great deliveries.
The biggest difference was that as our own family grew, we still needed to spend time with our siblings and those extended families. Plans had to be made to first open presents, then travel to spend time with one side of the extended family, and then figure how to travel and spend time with the other side of our extended family.
Sometimes that meant seeing one family on Christmas Eve, then seeing the other extended family later on Christmas Day. Even living relatively close together that takes a big chunk out of time available for children to actually enjoy the fruits of being good for Santa all year.
Now fast-forward another 20 or 25 years and suddenly our generation is the one outside looking in. Children have grown and begun creating their own families (not quite there yet for our boys, but it’s coming).
It hit home for me this year because the second of my parents, my mother, died recently leaving a void on my side of the family. She was no longer at the head of the table for Christmas Eve dinner, a tradition she started and we continued. But plans to visit other members of my side of the family were not quite as pressing, especially since they have their own traditions, now.
It was still great having our sons home. There was still plenty of love in the air and excitement as we exchanged gifts and spent time enjoying each other’s company. But the void was still there. I think we all knew the dynamics of our family had taken a considerable turn.
We still visited Debbie’s side of the family on Christmas Day, but the pace and excitement were lessened. We’ve become part of the older, extended family that gets together to reminisce, play bingo, eat a big meal and not have to worry about tired, worn out children for whom Christmas was an exciting, but quick blur.
That’s all up to the next generation now.
Our two boys have not married and started their own families yet. But it’s coming.
And when it does, it will be just Debbie and I. We’ll awaken and exchange gifts we helped pick out for each other. Probably enjoy a bit more leisurely morning.
And then hopefully be visited by our own expanding family – able to once again enjoy those wide-eyed, excited looks as our children’s children experience the unbridled joy of the Christmas experience.
Brett Crompton can be contacted at press1@dcdi.net
|
