Hermosa Christmas Family Traditions,2016

After almost 48 years of marriage to Agustin who was born in Colombia, SA, we have "developed" some family traditions that we really didn't plan out but just evolved!
It was about 48 years ago I realized that when we went to Colombia for Christmas with Kathy and Ruthie as babies,  that suddenly our Christmas Eve was going to be made up of an all night party, at least that is how it looked to me.  So, where was the wake-up-Christmas-morning to open presents?
Well, my thoughtful husband realized ahead of time that Christmas Eve in the USA was quite different than the way he grew up with "Niño Diós"   delivering the gifts on Christmas Eve instead of Santa on Christmas AM....or something like that:)
 So, he "instructed" his sweet family that we were going to get up early Christmas AM, open gifts, and have a "Christmas breakfast", just like in the states.  Actually, way back then, I made sticky buns for breakfast and tried to have our little American Christmas tradition:)    I don't remember much of what else happened except a few family members  were still  up all night while we were asleep:)
Anyway, this is our family traditional Christmas celebration which is a little different this year.  We used to include our church service at 5:30 PM.  Our whole family would attend and bring  the grand kids to the children's time in front of the church...a tradition.   The other "tradition" that did not take place this year either was my singing of   "O Holy Night" at this particular service.    So, with that in mind, we planned our Christmas Eve family time earlier in the evening.
Our tradition has evolved somewhat too.   When we first started having Christmas Eve for the kids after they were married, we decided to take a little from both sides of the Latin family culture and the "American" family traditions.  While they were still young, we continued the wake-up-Christmas-morning and open Christmas gifts tradition.
After everyone was grown and had their own families and extended families, we decided to have the gift exchange on Christmas Eve with food and fun after the service, and it ended up always being at Kathy's.   I would then have a big Christmas dinner at our house Christmas Day afternoon and invite friends who were of different cultures,even religions, and available family members who were not otherwise gathering at their spouse' family events:)  I haven't done that for many years though.
Back to our Christmas Eve.  Somehow, over the years, our kids have developed the "elves-coming-to-the-door tradition and delivering pjs for each grandchild.  All of a sudden, the doorbell rings and someone goes but no one is there, just the wrapped packages left by Santa's Elves.  By now, only a few younger kids are left to really think that the Elves have delivered the pjs.   I am very proud of all our grandkids who never refuse to get dressed in the pjs no matter how old they are:)  They all play along and everyone has a good time.  Sometimes I wish the grandparents got to put on their pjs too, but, good for us, we get to go home early:)
So, that is our tradition.
This year has been a time of thankfulness for the good health I am feeling, even if I do have a cancer in my pancreas.  I can't tell I have it from feeling anything. I think the pancreatic enzymes I take before meals really helps too.   I am a little tired, but, hey, I am 75 too!
I also am grateful I got to make my turkey, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, corn pudding, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.  I never thought I would ever get to do that this year until my kind oncologist wanted me to "enjoy" Christmas and I have.  Kathy came early to help and cleaned up afterwards:)
Coming Dec. 29, I will go for the chemo, come home with the pump for 2 days, and then be told which hospital I will have it removed since New Year's Eve is on a Saturday and Cancer Center is not open.
I am optimistic this time about the chemo working for good on me.  Now that I know some of the "unknown" I will not be so nervous about the "unknown" side effects because I will know what to expect and how to handle them I hope:)
Well, that is it for tonight☺🎶
Here is another Christmas hymn I have enjoyed singing over the years.

Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love’s sake becamest poor;
Thrones for a manger didst surrender,
Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor.
Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour,
All for love’s sake becamest poor.

Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love’s sake becamest man;
Stooping so low, but sinners raising
Heavenwards by thine eternal plan.
Thou who art God beyond all praising,
All for love’s sake becamest man.

Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Saviour and King, we worship thee.
Emmanuel, within us dwelling,
Make us what thou wouldst have us be.
Thou who art love beyond all telling,
Saviour and King, we worship thee.

Frank Houghton (1894-1972)