Ok, so technically it was in December, but I’m just now getting around to chronicling it…cause I like to stay on top of things and be current you know.
This past Christmas is quite literally the first Christmas that Amy and I have spent without our immediate family. In the past we were in a position where we could go home and spend a week or two that time of year. This year, while it would have been nice, it just wasn’t really an option. Instead, we were graciously invited by some extended family (and by extended I mean European :) to join them in Germany for Christmas.
Before I go any further I need to take a moment to say thank you to GG and Kai, his family, his sister and her in-laws for being willing to have two extra Tennesseean’s be a part of their family this past Christmas. Due to what happened in my family the latter half of last year Christmas could have been a very lonely and sad affair, and instead we were warmly welcomed for dinner and stories of past Christmases. It was wonderful and kept us from dwelling on some of the more painful things in our minds so we’re very thankful.
Christmas in Germany, while familiar, is a little different. Celebration (opening presents, etc…) happens on Christmas Eve not Christmas day (this is, however, the way it is at Amy’s home so maybe just different to me). In this particular household (and I think others, but I could be wrong…it’s happened once or twice before, you can ask Amy) Kris Kringle knocks on the door and leaves presents for the kids. There was only one little one in the house that was at that age to rip open presents. The others were practically brand new to the world so they were content to just hold the wrapping paper in their hands and gnaw on it (under supervision of course). Little Julian got several gifts this year from parents and grandparents alike and insisted that his dad put together the crane and truck that he got first (before dinner). As a guy I have to admit it was pretty slick….(Come on Amy, why didn’t I get a crane?) After enjoying these new toys for a few minutes we started dinner, which was delicious. I have found that while Italian food is fantastic, I have a taste for the more meat and potatoes style of food that you get in Germany (and the South…but there was no sweet tea, oh well :). In this case there was also a lobster bisque with shrimp made by Kai’s father….WOW. We did seconds on that one, as well as the potatoes, and just about everything else.
After dinner was over we sat around and swapped stories of our Christmases as children among other things. I got to share my story of my mother getting me one of those hand made sweaters (the ones with the puffy pipe glue stuff that was popular in the early 90’s with candy canes and such. You know, the stuff that would get you beat up in middle school). The year I got it I tried my best to be thankful and not hurt my mother’s feelings…and then I buried it in as deep and dark a hole that could be found in my closet. Without my knowing my mother found it sometime during the following year and saved it, re-wrapped it for me the next Christmas, and waited patiently with a camera to immortalize the moment. Somewhere in my mother’s picture albums is a shot of me with the most shocked and dismayed look I’ve probably ever had on my face (There are two of these sweaters on the planet?). My mother has a pretty twisted sense of humor, I’m glad I inherited it. Kai’s family jokes around with each other when opening gifts saying, “I hope it’s not a book”. Apparently one of the children said that to a grandmother one Christmas years ago. I remember those years, when a “practical” gift was so disappointing. Now, bring on the books and socks. :)
The following day we met at Kai’s sister’s home for brunch, which in Germany is a pretty good smorgasbord of meats, cheeses, bread and tea. Good stuff. I really don’t have many pictures of this part of the trip, just the one. But honestly, this half of the trip to Germany was an chance to just sit and relax. The stores were closed, there was no touristy stuff to do. We just got to enjoy the family that we were with (and take a noon-ish nap that I think should be part of every holiday honestly).
Being away from family that time of year (especially this past year) is hard. Thanks to those who helped us make it a little easier.
