2010-12-08 - Childhood holiday traditions that you’re happy not to follow as an adult.
Martyrdom. My grandmother insisted on hosting the family get together on Christmas Eve, and made sure we each realized how hard she worked, how tired she was, and how ungrateful we were. Whenever I suggested at least ordering an hors d'oeurvres tray, instead of making it herself, she looked at me as though I was a heathen. "Tradition" was very important to her, and a home-cooked meal was "tradition." So was her resentment of every forkful that came near our mouths.
Now that my mother is the matriarch, things are far more relaxed. A change for the better, I think.
These are the thoughts and observations of me — a woman of a certain age. (Oh, my, God, I'm 65!) I'm single. I'm successful enough (independent, self supporting). I live just outside Chicago, the best city in the world. I'm an aunt and a friend. I feel that voices like mine are rather underrepresented online or in print. So here I am. If my musings resonate with you, please visit my blog again sometime.
My aunt is exactly like your grandmother. Holy moly, there were two of them.
ReplyDeleteMy mother insists on the big, homemade holiday feast, but she loves doing it (and roping us into helping). Not a smidge of guilt about it, but we're all exhausted at the end of the day.
ReplyDeleteYou haven't posted in two days - everything OK? (Maybe I've forgotten about a trip you were planning?)
ReplyDelete