traditions – An Old Man's Thoughts, Memories, & Opinions

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of my imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Even as Christmas Eve ran late, Christmas morning started very early. The first three awake that morning were Ben, Bart, and Barry. Their role was quite simple and required little work, yet it played an important role in the day. First up was starting a nice pot or two of coffee along with getting hot ready for tea drinking family. Then they moved to strategic places to protect the gifts and the trees so no early risers could spoil the fun.

Following them soon were several of the ladies for last minute preparations of the buffet food and ensuring things were in place for the younger diners. It was always a difficult decision to know which should come first, breakfast or gifts.

But by around seven, the excitement became too great, and the children started wandering down toward the tree. Ben, Bart, and Barry had their hands full – making all wait for that wonderous moment when surprises and gifts were shared and opened by all. No visions of sugar plums were too be found. Instead, eyes were filled with delight and expectation of what awaited. While parents oft’ wanted the children to have breakfast first seldom could the wonderful aromas compare to the beautiful ribbons and bows.

Once all were awake, they were allowed into the room where the tree could be found. By tradition, the first gift was to Ben. Once it had been opened Bart and Barry had a new role – to distribute the gifts for all to open. This seemed so simple, but it really wasn’t. Care was taken to ensure that everyone received at least one gift before anyone received a second.

When gifts were opened the thoughts of breakfast disappeared. Instead, there was playing with toys and games, comparing new clothes, and many other things. The adults started taking advantage of the buffet and Christmas movies started to play. Friends and neighbors might stop for a visit while others might only share a phone call.

Sometimes the early risers might take a short nap and other family members might visit a neighbor to renew old acquaintances and make new ones. While a white Christmas had been a thing of hope, others wished they could get out in a boat. Adults planned future visits, always welcome. And they worried about who might not be there. While it was always a bit sad, some had to leave early and could not stay.

And at the end of the day, those staying a bit longer helped Bart and his family clean up the house for the next visit. Photos had been taken and soon would be shared. A good time by all so seldom together.

So as these posts about the old cabin may end. They have been shared to say Merry Christmas my friends. May your new year be bright, your wishes come true, and may you have some traditions that you can share, too.

As earlier told, the old cabin had been expanded and improved over its life but by the late 1940’s Benjamin decided that it was time for replacement rather than further improvement. He knew some men who, after returning from the war, had started a business to build homes and cabinets around the lakeshore. His ideas were bit strange but fit the location, a new home from logs rather than bricks or stone. And to retain a connection with the past, he wanted to somehow incorporate the old cabin into the new. This could be done with small parts and pieces, but his biggest hope was to retain the original one room shack as part of the new home.

Much to his surprise, the new large cabin was completed in late 1949. Even the old cabin had a place in the home as an office for Ben attached out back. This meant that a family tradition, Christmas at the Cabin, could be held that year. On that day and the evening before the entire family celebrated with feasting and fun. The children, grandchildren, parents, and more gathered together from far and wide. Although members of the family were welcomed all year, Christmas at the Cabin was not to be missed.

Ben knew that his remaining days were not too long, he wanted this tradition to live on and on. So, he visited his attorney and asked what to do. And the lawyer said, “I have an answer for you.” Let’s take the cabin and the surrounding land, put them in a trust with a few small demands. While some of the demands were not very big, two stood out as ways to ensure the traditions would remain. The first, and most important, was that all of Ben’s heirs were expected to visit on Christmas each year. Failing to do so would mean the loss of any claim to all or a portion of the trust and estate. But Ben also recognized that some things might make this impossible some exceptions were added in exceptions to this rule. If family members were serving the country in times of war, they could be excused from the celebration. Similarly, the birth of a child on or near Christmas was a reason for missing as was the death of a close relative of one or their spouse. Ben and the attorney that these rules could be tested for Ben’s remaining life and changed if needed which ever occurred. And these rules remain in place to this day. As do the traditions of the family gatherings.

Each year as the family gathers, other traditions continue as they had in the past. The gathering starts on Christmas Eve with food and drink served buffet style and no formal meals. In the evening all go to the local church to celebrate with family and friends old and new. Returning to the cabin there are stories and memories from the days past and the evening concludes with a reading of “the night before Christmas” for all to enjoy. The younger children are all put in bed to await Santa’s visit during the night. The older children are allowed to stay up longer with the adults to ensure Santa’s visit goes smoothly and all is in place for early Christmas morning. As the dawn breaks the next day someone is posted close to the stairs so no child awakens early, and no child is late to see what gifts from Santa for them may await. After presents are opened and there is some time for fun, then off to breakfast for everyone. As the day goes on, some start to drift off to homes of their own. Others may stay for a day or two. But they all begin planning for what next year may offer when all gather at the cabin next year. The cabin has changed from Barthlomew’s day but it still remains in the hearts and lives of all.