This Christmas seems to be drawing near at a very quick pace. I know there is no snow, and that seems to have made it feel less like winter, but as I have now written my final shopping list I feel a bit of pressure to get things done.
Christmas Eve for my family has always been the night to celebrate. Full of fish, fish, and hey, why not more fish.We sit down to a dinner that passes the evening away, and then we head to the tree and the presents beneath it.
Dinner itself is in the downstairs area of my parents’ home, where 18 of us gather at the table and enjoy everything from crab salad, to shrimp, to spaghetti with octopus and squid. The kids have their spaghetti with plain old tomato sauce, though the older boys like the traditional version. We have never had meat on Christmas Eve, and God forbid I had ever sneaked a piece. My guilty Catholic upbringing has stricken the fear of God right through me. ( Nice job Ma!)
Not having meat on Christmas Eve is a common custom in cultures with strong Catholic roots. Afterall, the consumption of meat was forbidden on high holidays and days of obligation. Our meatless celebration is followed of course by dessert comprised of cookies and cakes. Lots of fried cookies and cakes. Obviously deep-frying is all right with God.
By this time, the kids are BUSTING at the seams to get to their gifts. But, tradition reigns at the DiIorio house. All the kids sit and eat, they take part in discussion, and we get them involved more and more in the clean up and the set up of the table. By the way, the grandkids range from ages ten to nineteen.
As my parents get older a lot of the cooking and preparation has fallen onto us, and we divide it up between us, but my mom stands firm on doing most of the fish her way in her house. No one would argue with that.
And finally, up the stairs to the tree, ( it’s been up since mid November), and the toys and gifts are then opened. This takes about ten… maybe…eight minutes.
Then a small drink for all, some more talk, some more food, and the night draws to a close.
My parents are happy and will be in bed for Santa before we can blink an eye, and I will usually head off to Midnight Mass. As I am grateful to have all my family, as well as my new family – Shiraz and his kids – around me this Christmas, I know it becomes more important each year to remember how dear and special these moments are. With each year things will change, as seats may be filled with new members to our family or may sit empty with members departed.
So, I take a moment to wish all of my friends and earthlings a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with love, joy and prosperity.
And in my own words;
Buon Natale, e un altro 100 anni di gioia!