About 5 years ago we created a new tradition
which officially begins the Christmas Holiday for us.
The Saturday following Thanksgiving
we go to The Big City and have a lovely dinner
and then go to The Symphony Hall
to participate in the annual
Messiah sing-in.
We've taken different people with us because
it is Just So Cool to do this
in a huge, beautiful hall
with people who know what they are doing.
This year we took all of our children
and Fred's girlfriend, Morgan.
We started off with dinner at
Buca di Beppo
(this is Doug holding up the fried calamari-ugh)
(Fred and Morgan laughing about something)
We had lots of food.
In fact, we're still eating leftovers.
And it was good to spend another day
with our children
because they are just so great
and we love to be with them whenever we can.
After dinner it was off to Symphony Hall
and the wonderful experience of singing
this beautiful music.
This year Doug and I were really prepared
and were able to sing all the music
(for the most part)
because we had worked hard to learn the music using
this.
It was Great.
It was actually better than Great.
Then, wrapped in blankets from the car, we walked over
stopping to get some cups of chocolate warmth
and while we were stopped at this corner
Santa drove by in a small yellow car
and opened the window and called out
TO US
"Merry Christmas!"
and waved as he drove away.
It was SO COOL!
He wasn't wearing his formal gear,
he had on a white shirt and red suspenders.
But it was him, white hair and beard and twinkly eyes!
It was wonderful to be with my family, together, on the grounds of the temple
Who wouldn't want to be with this crazy bunch for forever?!
Doug and I are blessed, indeed.
And now the Christmas Season is officially here!
