If You Were Here

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If you were here in the North Florida woods for Christmas Eve, it would go something like this....

As you walked up onto the porch, three dogs would greet you with barks, howls, and wagging tails. At the same moment, the talking plastic Christmas tree by the door would open his eyes and launch into "Jingle Bells".

Entering the house involves carefully stepping around the stack of trim boards waiting for Katie's room, watch your step. To your left, a big fat Fraser Fir is wearing it's Christmas finest while an oak fire crackles in the fireplace. From the mantle decorations hang stockings for all...including the dogs.

We would probably move to the kitchen, drawn by the smell of wine basted turkey roasting in the oven. There's a big country table there and we could sit and chat as the gravy thickens to just the right consistency on the stove.

The background music...very traditional...the good stuff. You could expect to hear Good King W., Chestnuts Roasting.., White Christmas (Bing), Little Drummer Boy, etc.

When that gravy was just perfect, we'd sit down and Jr. would offer thanks for the food and togetherness. Then we'd eat turkey, real mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, rolls , etc. After supper, if there was room (and there always is), a little apple pie ala mode would be served.

From the dinner table, we'd waddle into our cozy (small) living room and watch "The Christmas Story" and "Muppets Christmas Carol". I wait all year for that. We'd chatter and laugh at Ralphie and Rizzo The Rat, even though we know each line in both movies by heart. It's what we do here, it is our tradition, and none of us would change it.

The fire crackling, the turkey, and the general coziness of being together would soon induce nods. All too soon, the most magical night of the year would come to a close.

Time for bed, for tomorrow holds great promise.

Merry Christmas from our family to you and yours!