The Countdown

 November 24, 2021

The Baileys aren’t known for their liturgical correctness. Leading up to Christmas, we observe Advent, but the Christmas season begins for us on Thanksgiving Eve at our daughter’s home. After an outstanding meal of chicken cordon bleu, we clear the table and spread out our Thankful Tablecloth where each one writes at least one thing for which they are grateful in the past year. Since 2003 we’ve archived our family history on that piece of linen, sometimes through tears, often in laughter, always in joy and humble gratitude. It has gotten so crowded that last year we had to sew an additional piece to it. 

In 2007, son Matthew traced the newest addition to their family on the tablecloth. The cousins persuaded “little” Nathan to stretch out and get traced again, much to their delight. 

Following the Tablecloth ritual, everyone retreats to the living room to watch a certain scene from the 1983 movie “A Christmas Story,” after which the crate is ceremonially brought in and son in law Todd recreates the father, opening the crate, throwing excelsior around the room and retrieving the Leg Lamp. The very first time this was done, grandson Ian was only about five or six, and instinctively stroked the fishnet stocking, just like in the movie. Of course, he had to do it again as we all trooped out to the front lawn, Ooing and Ahhing, and reciting the appropriate lines:

“What is it?”

“It’s a major award!”

On it goes. For the Baileys and Andersen’s, the Christmas season has arrived. We have blessed one another with good food, laughter and prayers, and it is time to go home where Linda and I again count our blessings, grateful having received so much as to be able to be on the giving side of life.