Christmas traditions

Union Station was packed with travelers riding the rails to so many points hither and yon for Christmas. Watching Washington D.C. fade away outside the train window I was surprised to see my uncle and aunt, Bill and Josee, and cousin Denny standing on the platform passing through Arlington to Richmond. What a coincidence! We chatted and caught up all the way to Richmond chugging down the iron veins of the railroad watching iced over marshes and gnarled winter trees race by outside the window in a cozy train car. So nice.

The week leading up to Christmas my parents always go out of their way to include those without family in our holiday season. Perhaps someone who has lost a loved one, or without any children, or those simply without a close family to draw from themselves. We certainly have enough to go around with our big extended family and we are always happy to share it.

This night we shared our holiday hospitality with our long time friend Ken Majic who recently lost his partner this last year unexpectedly. He has so many stories. Stories he remembers of me as just a bulge in my mothers belly, and stories from innumerable travels he's had around the world. He has visited over 42 countries. From headhunters in Borneo to escaping from Iran just before the Iranian Revolution, boy did does he like to tell an interesting tale!

We do certain things that I have found are unique to us and the culture from whence we come. The coastal old-time traditions of the Chesapeake and Virginia piedmont. Oyster stew, Smithfield ham biscuits, and egg nog with bourbon warm by the woodstove. This night, gathered around the table we shared friendship and the delicious simple food that is our own family tradition...