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Carol Perkins: A Long Winter's Nap

Previous Column: Bracing for Bad Weather

By Carol Perkins

A deflated feeling consumes me for a few days when Christmas festivities end. I'm drooping like a float with a hole in it, and am ready to remove twinkling lights, glittering balls, and flickering candles. The build-up to Christmas is as exciting as preparing for prom, but when it's over, well, it's over. I doubt I am alone.

When the last of the family left on December 30th, the holiday season ended for us. Before Christmas, we had get-togethers with extended family, but our children couldn't come until after Christmas. We didn't let the date bother us. We celebrated on December 28th. First, we visited my mother and she enjoyed the grandkids, who are all teens. My brother Henry drove from Crestwood to see them. We exchanged gifts and swapped stories.

Then, we went back to our house where we played the cup game I had seen on Facebook and the grandkids took away some cash.


Even though the youngest couldn't come because of his basketball practices, Carla served in Noah's place and uncovered the largest amount of money. Then Jon orchestrated a white elephant game (providing all the gifts for the swap.) I got a Willie Nelson Chita (at first) and swapped it until I had a tabletop cornhole board, even though I have never played. I bought the teens a game I'd seen online. A ball was attached to a headband and the object was to bat the ball with your hands. VERY hard and the ball swung around my neck. We laughed so much that we doubled over. Then the real gifts followed and we ended the night with Uno.

When the house is quiet and the undecorating begins, the imminent feeling of something of great value slipping away leaves that deflated feeling. It happens every year. The tree looks tired, the candles flicker against the damp windowpane, and Santa doesn't seem as jolly. Neither do Guy and I. As our family moves on to their full lives with games and band practices and school, Guy and I are ready for a long winter's nap.


You can contact Carol at carolperkins06@gmail.com.


This story was posted on 2022-12-30 12:37:32
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