A Christmas Story

Trudging through the snow to the beige garage

Slowly peeling off layers as we go trying not to drop the stack of presents

You can hear the bubbling of Oyster stew and Chili on the stove

Being gathered into hugs as you cross the threshold

Smelling sweet sugar cookies

¨Barrett give that back to Lucy, and go play with your cousins. Do you know where Evie is Lucy?No, you don't well great!¨

The screams of Yayne, Yayne as I walk into sight

Being tackled by a small army, and being suffocated by love

Jumping across the war zone that used to be my grandmas living room floor trying to avoid toys that are scattered like landmines

¨Darling will you set the table?¨

¨Of course grandma¨

The table is filled with food and family

Old memories are exchanged for new laughter

The clanking of dishes being washed as children anxiously await in the next room

The old Christmas tree covered in little snowmen with dozens of presents underneath

Passing out the presents you can hear the clunks and thunks as the little ones shake their gifts to try and see what's inside

You can faintly hear A Christmas Story playing in the background not for long soon all you can hear are squeals and giggles as wrapping paper covers the floor, the tables, the coaches, even people

The youngest open their presents first and you can see the concentration on their faces as they try to wait patiently for their turn again

Soon after a trash bag is passed around

As the children practically pass out on the couches from exhaustion the adults go outside to play cards

And I finally have some peace and quiet to watch A Christmas Story

This is how our Christmas Story finishes

-L.Sue