Festive Sensitivities.
Grandfather Fitting-in at Family Christmas.
Christmas Time, Grandfather’s role “Being there”, Linking past family and traditions with offsprings and grandchildren, Teaching culture, Affirming roles, Helping all to understand their place in our cultural context.
Within my culture, Christmas takes traditional precedence, Time of affirmation of cultural traditions and strengthening family ties, Pleasurable and rewarding, Understanding and enjoying family interactions, Being there.
Choosing Gifts.
From my perspective, Presents create cross generational ties.
Four kids and four families, Four opinions and four priorities, Four views on suitable presents from grandparents.
Sometimes feel as though it’s best to start planning early, Like day after Christmas for next Christmas, Derive satisfying sense of belonging to family’s to-ing and fro-ing.
One grandson loves wooden toys, Trains and trucks little aeroplanes, Let’s add boat!
Remember my wooden boats from long ago, Cargo boat and little sailing boat, Grandfather helped me sail in nearby park’s large pond, Got stuck many times, Duck pecked it many times, Muddy feet many times.
Childhood memories inspired on-line shop searching, Found little catamaran, Reminded me of scary adventures sailing catamaran on Sydney Harbour, Spent many happy Sunday afternoons on upside-down cat.
Wrapping.
Enthusiastic amatuer, Paper and tape, Ribbon and bows wonky scissors, Spilt coffee.
Remember my grandmother telling me, “Blue and Green should never be seen”, Stuck with me, Realise now its marine origin, Don’t paint boats green as could be hard to see near land.
Invariably I use Christmas green and blue ribbons, Reminds me of grandmother and my questions that were tad unwelcome.
Wonder how grandson will open present? Rip rip or carefully unpick?
Giving
When kids were small, Presents stacked under real Christmas tree.
Times change, Do family rounds, Presents opened with family and all enjoy Oohs & Aahs.
Christmas lunch hot Summer’s day, Salads and tasty treats, Christmas dinner Hot and delicious.
Experiencing.
Each year happy bliss, Presents opened, Wrapping paper ribbons and cards strewn about, Kids rushing around with “look at me” smiles brandishing presents, Adults (bigger kids) encouraging and laughing, Every kid full of joy knowing they’re loved, Parents exhausted, grandparents bemused smiling and remembering.
December at last, Kids arranging feasts, Grandfather writing ridiculous story, Sipping coffee, Blessed be.
