Home For The Holidays

My first Christmas away from home, and it took a while before I could get into the Christmas spirit. With it being a warmer climate and all it just didn’t feel quite like the Christmas I know. The cold winter air sweeping across my face, mittens, scarves, walking through the mall and seeing all of the Christmas decorations and displays, driving around town looking at all of the houses beaming with christmas lights, decorated trees, Christmas parties, and snow. It’s amazing how much you hate it when you live in it, but how much you miss it when you are gone.

Here it is hot and sunny and the Africans just don’t do Christmas quite like we do, which made it even more difficult. I was doing just fine up until last week when it dawned on me that I would not be home for the holidays. Christmas just isn’t Christmas without your family and your traditions, so being without both I was determined to make Christmas here just like home. I was bound and determined to put up a tree, and cook a traditional Christmas dinner, and with the help of my good friend Tom, I was able to pull it off.

On Christmas Eve Charlene and I went up to the Corbin’s. Ed read the Christmas story, we opened gifts, Sonja made some amazing food, and we watched the American classic “A Christmas Story”. I was blessed that they opened up their home to me.

I never really realized how much work goes into preparing a Holiday dinner. I was only preparing for three, so I thought, “This shouldn’t take long at all”. Ha! Yeah right! I woke up on Christmas morning at 8:00 am and cooked all day. We had appetizers of stuffed mushrooms (no where near as good as April Hohimers!) and fruit with fruit dip. Then for the main course we had turkey, yes I cooked my first turkey ever, and I must say it was wonderful, good ‘ol green bean casserole, my mom’s sage stuffing, and cranberry sauce. So, Mom, my hat goes off to you for making every Holiday dinner, you make it seem so easy!