SUNDAY'S SIMPLE GRATITUDE: FAMILY

Christmas Eve with Dad's Clan, Minus the California Cadre 

Know what I love? I love being part of a big, boisterous, loving family. Of course, it's not near as big as it used to be when, growing up, I had three siblings and at least fourteen or fifteen cousins, all fairly close in age, and all living within an hour or two of us (plus a couple more out in California). We'd host a big get-together for Dad's family every Christmas Eve, then go to a big hoop-di-doo with Mom's family on Christmas day.

Christmas Day at Mimi and Grandad's

Of course, things change. Cousins grow up, marry and merge with other families, then have kids of their own. Siblings move across the country, or even the globe. Grandparents pass away. Eventually my parents quit celebrating holidays with their siblings, and it was just the six of us, plus our spouses, occasional in-laws, and the "new" set of cousins -- a set which, instead of being all close in age, were spread out in three separate clumps, over about thirty five years!

We Six

Once our parents were both gone, and most of our kids were grown, we worried that the same thing might happen to us. Our compromise was to have a whole-clan-get-together a weekend or two before Christmas, so that we could then be at home with our kids, their honeys, and the new, new grandkids (when and if they arrive) on Christmas day.

Niece Merrit -- the Baby of the Family

When we were in Ft. Worth celebrating Merrit's fourteenth birthday (Our baby a teenager? How can that be?) last weekend, one sister threw out the possibility of our meeting up at that fabulous Gaylord resort in Grapevine this December, since they really go all out with their food and decorations during the holidays. I think that would be a major blast, if we can pull it off. On the drive home that got me to thinkin' about an annual summer get-together here in Wimberley -- a way of ensuring that we all got to see each other at least twice a year.

I'm thinking early June, when the Blue Hole is open for swimming, but before it gets so freakin' hot that the creeks threaten to dry up. I want it all to be very casual and easy to pull together -- something our kids won't mind picking up the reins on when their time comes. So here's what I'm thinkin'. Start with a Mexican Potluck here at the house on Friday evening. People will be arriving at different times, so I can have snacks and drinks out for the early arrivals, a Mexican casserole ready to go in the oven, and we can dine when everyone shows up with some easily transportable side dishes and desserts.

There are now a ton of B&B's near us -- several right across the creek in fact -- so I am going to do some research to find out what different ones charge and how many they sleep, then let each family make their own arrangements. I'll leave Saturday morning free so they can sleep late if they wish, or head into town to shop and eat lunch at one of the cafes.

Saturday afternoon could be Blue Hole swimming for the youngsters, and a Shanghai card tournament for the oldsters (we sisters loooooove playing cards together), then Saturday evening could be a casual group dinner at a local establishment -- possibly our gourmet pizza joint and brewpub, which happens to be run by another big boisterous family (they have 13 kids, who all contribute to the running of the business). There's plenty of room upstairs or out on the deck to set up a large table for all of us, but each family can order whatever they want, littles can run around and play, and the guys can do tastings in the brewpub while visiting with the patriarch of the clan, a former pro football player. Last but certainly not least, there will be wine or tea sipping, and plenty of star-gazing, back home on our porches and patio.

I think the whole weekend could be a lot of un -- organized enough to ensure quality time together, yet flexible enough for each family to tend to their individual needs and preferences. Best of all, no one will be overly burdened with cooking, kitchen clean-up, or expenses, which I think will make it much more "sustainable." What do you think?

Yep, regardless of the occasional spats and disagreements (believe me, every family has them!) I am ever so grateful to have been born into a big, boisterous, loving family!