It’s Christmas morning in Regina. I’m sitting at the kitchen table in Mom’s house. Grama, Papa, Dave, and Glen (a family friend) are all sitting around drinking coffee and discussing the intricacies of purchasing a new toilet. Hmmm… “American Standard or Crane?”
No one is in any great hurry to start anything new. I slept over last night and I’m still wearing the same cloths from yesterday. The tradition in our family is to open our presents on the night of Christmas Eve. I was most excited about giving the gifts I got for Mom & Dave, and Grama & Papa. As for my haul, the best present so far came from PJ. She gave me a number of books; ‘Ethics’ by Aristotle, ‘Six Memos for The Next Millennium’ by Italo Calvino, ‘To Perpetual Peace’ by Immanuel Kant, ‘Socrates’ Secret’ by Jim Turrell, and ‘The Horse’s Mouth’ by Joyce Cary.
[about an hour passes]
Shortly after writing that last paragraph, a game of cribbage broke out. Grama and I took on Papa and Glen. We each won one game. Afterwards I SKYPEd Laura to wish her a Merry Christmas. It was 7pm in Bucharest. She was in full blown ‘doing nothing’ mode. She was watching movies with her mom, and was about to venture into the kitchen in search of her mother’s sarmale (cabbage rolls). I’ve feasted on her mom’s sarmale. They’re always worth the trip.
Once my brother Jeremy and his girl friend Amber arrived, brunch started. I ate homemade sausage and boiled wheat. There’s probably going to be more card games later. Other than that, I have no plans for the day. It’s a good day for doing nothing. Not only is it -27 outside, but it seems to me that doing nothing all day with family around is the best way to spend Christmas.
I’m not even planning to change my clothes. Happy Holidays everyone!
The Mind of Jarrett 