Defrosting the Past: A.L. Paradiso’s Christmas Memories

Literati,

Some of you have noticed I have an unhealthy habit of quoting my (arguably) favorite Christmas movie of all time, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. When will I get help for it? I don’t KNOW, Margo!!!

But for those of you who want to reminisce about the joys and pains of Christmas, but would prefer NOT to hear a yarn from Uncle Eddie about the Yak woman, I present to you,

12-23-21

by A.L. Paradiso

10:55 A.M. In the past hour, I fed the cats and did last night’s dishes. My son went off to work with several more words to me than usual. Eventually, I got to my breakfast cereal with fruits and watched an honors show on my new, giant screen TV.

While I caught up with Facebook, I sent a promising writing link to a friend in Indiana, and yawned a lot. My thoughts wandered to a defrosting turkey waiting for me to break it down; to damages happening to my home due to collapsed gutters; to frustration finding an affordable gutter replacer; to frustrations with family; to my mortality; to Christmases past and future.

I briefly yearned for those hectic, over stressed family Christmases. Once again, I explored a Christmas past when I left a warm family gathering in Pennsylvania, abandoned my dad, risked my life flying cross country to California through multiple severe storms, to keep a promise to my seven-year-old son to be with him for Christmas. After hours of delays, diverted flights, and anxiety, I arrived to a cold, ho-hum greeting which made me better understand and regret my dad’s hurt feelings. Happy Holidays! Right.

Somnus briefly took control. My turkey calls.

****

Oh, my husband. Who completely forgot he was my husband. Silly, silly Michael.

Don’t forget to turn your entries in to Thorn! Deadline is February 28th, 2022!