My Holiday Traditions
'by Beth Anne
The holiday season is quickly approaching. Turkeys are being
bought, shopping is being done, and houses are being
decorated. No matter which religion we follow, we each have
rich traditions we observe every year with our families.
My family is no exception. Since my wheelchair makes it
difficult to access any other family member's house, my mom
cooks for every holiday. She prepares a feast every time,
and so many people come to share the experience. My great
aunt comes for all the holidays. Our neighbor usually joins
us, and one in a while my cousin and her family come as
well. We never worry about running out of food, because my
mom always makes enough in case a few extra people show up.
Thanksgiving is the only holiday that we don't serve any
food with red sauce. My dad is half Italian, so we have to
have red sauce for every holiday, but my mom refuses to make
it on Thanksgiving! We have what I think of as a normal
Thanksgiving dinner. I don't eat much meat, but I love
turkey, so I eat a big turkey leg because I like dark meat.
I also prefer sweet potatoes to mashed potatoes, so I have a
lot of those. Finally, my mom makes the best stuffing in the
world! There is nothing like cold stuffing later that night
or for days after. We always have a good Thanksgiving meal
with leftovers that carry into the next week!
With Thanksgiving here, Christmas can't be far behind. My
mom puts up our Christmas tree every year. We have an
artificial one because my brother is allergic to real pines.
Over 90% of our ornaments are handmade. My great grandmother
and great aunt made most of them. By the time we are done,
there are over 600 ornaments on the tree. My mom only puts
clear lights on the tree because she doesn't like colored
ones. It is so beautiful when it is lit up.
Ever since I was little, my mom has given me one present to
open on Christmas Eve. It is always a music box. I have a
collection of music boxes that I have gotten from her
through the years. I love all of them because they each mean
something special to me. The past few years, my mom has
given me Mickey Mouse music boxes because I like him so
much. I also give my mom one present on Christmas Eve.
When I was little, I would get up at the crack of dawn on
Christmas morning to go downstairs and open my presents. Now
that I am older, I like my sleep, so I don't get up until
10:00 or 11:00. My big pile of presents used to be under the
tree, but now I get a much smaller pile that fits on my
desk.
We have either stuffed shells or lasagna for Christmas
dinner. My favorite food is lasagna, so that is what I want
every year. I always have a huge piece. My mom also makes a
roast with mashed potatoes because my great aunt won't eat
red sauce.
I hate winter and the cold, but Christmas is my favorite
holiday. I love to go shopping for my family and friends. I
like to give as well as receive. Also, most people are much
happier around the holiday season. When I am out, I notice
more people will smile, speak to me, and hold doors for me.
I love the holidays because I celebrate them with my family
and friends. It is also a time when I have a break from
school and can relax. Even though I can do without the snow,
I really enjoy the holiday season.
'by Beth Anne
You can learn more about the author, Beth Anne Luciani, her
struggles with athetoid cerebral palsy, and her life at Beth
Anne's website:
www.MyTrueSmile.com.