Can't believe how close your story to mine. I too have 2 grown kids that are gonna be variables soon. My advice is to focus on the football on the day.
Just watched Miller’s Crossing two nights ago for probably the fifth time this year. “What heart?” is just as devastating a line as it was the first time I saw it and I always get a little misty in that last scene and shot. It’s the perfect argument against anyone who claims the Coens are cold filmmakers who don’t care about their characters. There is no place in my world for those who don’t agree heartily.
"How many times should any child have to listen to their father point out that our modern conception of Santa Claus is largely due to the Coca-Cola company?"
This might be the silver lining to my birthday being on Christmas! I enjoy Christmas, but the idea of getting to, eventually, do birthday things on that day instead of all the other stuff (not to rush things! I love that my kids are still at home right now and we get to do all that special stuff! but...someday!...) actually seems appealing to me as a "in the future" thing. I would love to eventually graduate to where I just do the crap I wanna do on December 25, without worrying about coordinating with everyone else's Christmas'y expectations. Someday, maybe!
Since as long as I can remember, my parents hosted an open Christmas Eve party that encompassed all religions that included all those people wandering through Brooklyn neighborhoods singing Christmas carols (and winding up eating Bouillabaise and pot luck). Even when I got married and had kids, we'd do Christmas Eve there and Christmas day at my in-laws. It was lovely and doable until my mom and my father-in-law died and those traditions passed away with them.
Since that was all the traditions we (I) knew for several decades, the holidays seem so much lonelier now with me, particularly, feeling at loose ends. Encouraging your kids to make their own traditions that they can share with you and their friends and, maybe in the future, their own kids is a good thing.
Miller’s Crossing is definitely one of my top 25 or so favorite films of all time. Top 10 original screenplay. I’ve never so thoroughly misunderstood a film the first time I watched it and still loved it. I now watch it almost every year (including this year) to marvel at its complexity, Barry Sonnenfeld’s cinematography, Gabriel Byrne’s all time great performance, and howl with laughter (“Give him a shiny penny boys!”). Anyway, I knew I liked you. I just didn’t know why. ; )
Christmas will always be Christmas, because that moment in time when God brecame Man will not be rescinded. He will always be with us as such. Christmas will always be Christmas. You do not need to celebrate it as your family currently does. It was an awesome moment in the history of mankind....am mystery yes for our finite minds but one we celebarte, as God With Us.
Michael, you always manage to strike a chord with me. Sometimes only one or two, sometimes a whole damn symphony. Thank you for doing this and being exactly who you are. I’m WASPy as they come, but feel very connected to you. Have a great New Year!
Can't believe how close your story to mine. I too have 2 grown kids that are gonna be variables soon. My advice is to focus on the football on the day.
Aw! Love those last two lines. Happy random Thursday!
Just watched Miller’s Crossing two nights ago for probably the fifth time this year. “What heart?” is just as devastating a line as it was the first time I saw it and I always get a little misty in that last scene and shot. It’s the perfect argument against anyone who claims the Coens are cold filmmakers who don’t care about their characters. There is no place in my world for those who don’t agree heartily.
I just spent Christmas Day alone. It was fine. You are lucky to have someone to spend it with now and in the future!
"How many times should any child have to listen to their father point out that our modern conception of Santa Claus is largely due to the Coca-Cola company?"
Annually is sufficient and mandatory.
Excellent point on kids facing outward on the Christmas season.
This might be the silver lining to my birthday being on Christmas! I enjoy Christmas, but the idea of getting to, eventually, do birthday things on that day instead of all the other stuff (not to rush things! I love that my kids are still at home right now and we get to do all that special stuff! but...someday!...) actually seems appealing to me as a "in the future" thing. I would love to eventually graduate to where I just do the crap I wanna do on December 25, without worrying about coordinating with everyone else's Christmas'y expectations. Someday, maybe!
Since as long as I can remember, my parents hosted an open Christmas Eve party that encompassed all religions that included all those people wandering through Brooklyn neighborhoods singing Christmas carols (and winding up eating Bouillabaise and pot luck). Even when I got married and had kids, we'd do Christmas Eve there and Christmas day at my in-laws. It was lovely and doable until my mom and my father-in-law died and those traditions passed away with them.
Since that was all the traditions we (I) knew for several decades, the holidays seem so much lonelier now with me, particularly, feeling at loose ends. Encouraging your kids to make their own traditions that they can share with you and their friends and, maybe in the future, their own kids is a good thing.
Miller’s Crossing is definitely one of my top 25 or so favorite films of all time. Top 10 original screenplay. I’ve never so thoroughly misunderstood a film the first time I watched it and still loved it. I now watch it almost every year (including this year) to marvel at its complexity, Barry Sonnenfeld’s cinematography, Gabriel Byrne’s all time great performance, and howl with laughter (“Give him a shiny penny boys!”). Anyway, I knew I liked you. I just didn’t know why. ; )
Christmas will always be Christmas, because that moment in time when God brecame Man will not be rescinded. He will always be with us as such. Christmas will always be Christmas. You do not need to celebrate it as your family currently does. It was an awesome moment in the history of mankind....am mystery yes for our finite minds but one we celebarte, as God With Us.
I'm going to spend my Christmas Eve in the bathtub with my tablet perched on the toilet playing "Miller's Crossing". I can't wait
Your kids won’t leave you on Christmas!
Michael, you always manage to strike a chord with me. Sometimes only one or two, sometimes a whole damn symphony. Thank you for doing this and being exactly who you are. I’m WASPy as they come, but feel very connected to you. Have a great New Year!
I hope you and Martha have a gentle holiday. I think that's the best many of us can hope for.
Thanks for making it safe to wish everyone “happy random Thursday in April” again!