Christmas Memories

“Goodbye Joe, I gotta go, meo myo!  Son-of-a-gun gonna have big fun on the bayou!” I can still hear daddy in his big number, crooning out the words to “Jambalaya”.  He had been playing his guitar all night with the others, patiently waiting while each of my uncles played their favorites.  I had been waiting all night as well.  The men got together with their harmonicas, their guitars, their accordians and their favorite tunes at my grandma and grampa’s house on Christmas Eve.  It was a family tradition.  All my cousins and I would listen intently for the age old tunes, a mixture of old southern, cajun and Irish songs as well as all the Christmas favorites.  I loved the look on my daddy’s face as he began playing “Jambalaya”.  His eyes lit up.  It was like something out of a movie! 

Growing up, I can remember no other times that made me feel as good, as secure or as happy.  The food was always potluck and delicious.  Mama and Grandma  worked for days making their traditional desserts.   My favorite was their famous Japanese fruitcake.  Oh, I didn’t like to eat it, I loved to watch them make it, grinding the coconut from the real coconuts because they had to have the milk from inside to make the frosting.  It was a huge process and just one of the traditions they shared. 

There were loads of fireworks brought in for the kids to shoot.   Grampa had built a gigantic bonfire in front of the house out by the road, where we lit the fireworks and otherwise kept warm.   But I preferred to stand by the performers, waiting for my chance to join in.  My grandma’s living room was sparkling with Christmas, and the smell of the food set the scene for a wonderful time to be had by all!

Gifts were exchanged at some point in the night.  All the wrapping paper was thrown into the fire, lighting it up like a bonfire! 

Afterwards, the Uncles and my daddy would start up again, singing until way past the time when we children were snug in our beds, in anticipation of Santa’s arrival.