This article was written by a guest contributor, John Trompeter, the owner/operator of ComForCare of Wheaton, IL.
Christmas gatherings are like treasure chests—full of heartwarming memories, hilarious mishaps, and stories that get better (or more exaggerated) with every telling.
One such family tells this story on social media. The family dog ate the entire family turkey right before dinner. The son said, “I still remember my mom shrieking when walking into the sight.” The dog owner worried that his sweet Trixie might have a bone lodged in her throat. But she didn’t, and the disappointed family opted for a take-out dinner.
In Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the cranky, miserly Scrooge is taken on a transformative journey by the Ghost of Christmas Past, who peels back the layers of his hardened heart. Scrooge laughs with genuine joy and weeps with unexpected tenderness. It becomes a life-changer for Scrooge.
I have a story of my own. As a kid, we had a Christmas Eve family tradition of going to Mass and then returning to the house for dinner and presents. Being from a family with nine kids, the ages spanned about 15 years—and some reached college age and beyond. I’m guessing my mom thought the night needed a refresh. Much to my surprise (and dismay), it was to add caroling door to door in our neighborhood. Keep in mind I was in my early 20s, and this was not an activity I’d put at the top of my list. But you need to make your mom happy—so I pretended as if I was all in.
Looking back now, it wasn’t so bad—and doing something that was a little uncomfortable with your siblings somehow made it fun. I might add that she knew her crowd and made sure to provide motivation through a bit of Christmas liquid encouragement before stepping out. I guess Mother knows best!
Why not bring these memories to life when you visit Grandma or Grandpa this year? Gather everyone together and take turns sharing a favorite Christmas memory. You’ll laugh, reminisce, and create new moments worth remembering for years to come.
By John Trompeter Owner/Operator, ComForCare of Wheaton