Aside from the usual visit by our jolly old elf friend I can always rely on dinner with my family. Every year we gather together on Christmas Eve to eat dinner. When I was a younger kid I can remember the excitement being close to unbearable. The four boys chatting eagerly about what we hoped to get the next morning. My favorite part of Christmas Eve though has always been the trip into our Grandparent's attic. We'd go into the hallway and pull down the creaky stairs with "Twas the Night Before Christmas" in hand. In the attic we'll grab a bit of chalk and sign our names along with the year and occasionally a little note about something that had been going on that year. After this it was time to settle down and begin reading. Once with the lights on and a second time with the lights out pausing from time to time to listen for sounds of Santa on the roof.
This tradition has been going on since at least 1998. Over time it's gotten a little silly as we've grown up and take turns reading pages with our own words and spin on the story inserted here and there. Picking apart the artwork has also become a favorite activity. This year however I was the first to miss out. Luckily I was kept in the loop thanks to Will's videoing throughout the day. Maybe it's just our sense of humor, but he could be a vine celebrity. He also reserved a spot for me on the attic ceiling for 2014. I guess eventually someone that's not from our family may live in that house. I wonder what they will think when they see the attic. What exactly is "mowing"? Why did Zeb blow it that year? And where was he in 2014?
Y'all know of course that Christmas 2014 I was here in Scotland. And despite not being around my family this has been one of the best yet. I'll tell you why. My workday on Christmas Eve finished with a mince pie topped with brandy butter (this should be a thing in the states) and an invitation to Christmas lunch at the Dean's. Of course I'd have to consider as the invitation came on the condition I didn't wear a hat and I am on demand in these parts as the token American. Ultimately I'd accept and stop by the Spar on the way home to grab two bottles of whiskey. One for Ross and Polly (the Dell owners) and another for David and Valery. Later at the dell I settled into bed to dream of sugar plums and hope that soon St. Nicholas would soon be here.
As I mentioned earlier ol' Nick let me down. But to my surprise when I opened the door to go out on my run (it's traditional to take a walk on Christmas day) I was attacked by a large festive sock. Inside was a Christmas cracker, an orange, some candies, and a beer. It was a lovely surprise as I hadn't expected to have a stocking this year. Unfortunately I had slept in quite a bit and was returning from my run 30 minutes before I needed to be at the Dean's. I promised them I'd shower, it was a semi-formal event after all, so I hurried to get ready. On my way out I dropped by the big house and ran into Polly who I returned the stocking to, this time with whiskey inside. She invited me in but at this time I had 10 minutes to lunch. I rushed to the shed, grabbed my bike, and sped away sliding around on the icy road.
At the Lazy Duck I was immediately given the job of testing the mulled wine, David thought I appeared quite dehydrated. We decided it was suitable to distribute as Uncle John (Valery's nautical brother) arrived with his mother and her cousin. Bother are in their 90s. It's pretty funny to hear someone David's age talk about his mother-in-law. Of course looking at them and talking with them you'd really never guess they're 90-something. We'd move into the sun room to sit around the tree while snacking and opening presents. I'd given David his whiskey when I arrived and was very relieved that I had bought something acceptable. Not expecting anything in return though I was thrilled to be handed a few parcels from under the tree. My haul included a box of candies and a highland calendar from Elizabeth, the mother-in-law, a book about a cyclist going from Alaska to South America from the Dean's and a pair of wool socks! Even Jango (the dog) was given a small package, he loves opening presents.
Soon we'd plop down around the table to a wonderful traditional meal. Turkey and stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, roast vegetables, and little sausages. It was fantastic. For dessert there was Christmas pudding which was set on fire. What an exciting dessert, tasty too. Between courses I finally got to experience the whole "Christmas cracker" thing. They all contained a fabled "Party Hat" (mine was green!) along with a small knick knack (I got an eyepatch) and a bad joke. All the while through the meal we chatted away about all kinds of things including an unnamed family member and their famous "rock cakes" which were used to fill potholes on the drive. I learned a lot about the family I've been working alongside and it was a fantastic time. After the meal we'd head out for a brief walk. Luckily Uncle John had remembered that the queen would be speaking at 3. David thought it'd be a bit embarrassing to have to send her a letter explaining we regretfully missed her so we hurried back.
After the queen did her thing we did a bit of tidying. I'd then poke my head into the hostel to see if they needed anything. Staying with us over Christmas were two friendly folks, Andy from Ireland, and Louise from Scotland. Along with them were their 4-year old twins, a boy and a girl. They invited me in for traditional Christmas day Baileys. Eight hours later I'd be stumbling to my bike for a thrilling moon and starlit ride back to the cottage. In those eight hours we'd share a bit of our lives with each other while discussing many interesting topics ranging from parenthood to secret tequila bars in Mexico. Andy and Louise had done a fair amount of travelling themselves and were fascinating people. When they insisted I eat dinner with them there was no way I could miss out on the opportunity.
Upon returning to the cottage I'd find another stocking hung around the door handle. This time with a bottle of wine stuffed in it. I wouldn't go inside immediately despite the frigid temperature as the night sky was a sight to behold and I stood outside for a while to stare and reflect on my day. Standing there I felt like the luckiest person alive. And the feeling would continue.
Today is "Boxing Day", and again I'd receive a wonderful surprise. David handed me a map, compass, and rucksack complete with lunch packed by Valery shortly after I arrived at The Lazy Duck. By 11:50 I was hiking up to a ridge line and walking along it over three peaks headed for Bridge of Brown where I'd meet the two to get a ride back to Nethy. Along the ridge I was graced with a 360 degree view of the surrounding landscape. Everything was frozen today and covered in ice. A real Winter Wonderland. At the third peak I'd phone David before dropping into the valley along a creek. They'd meet me somewhere along the track. Over a fence, through a field, and across a bridge I'd wonder in the back of my mind if I was heading the right way. Suddenly there was a rustling in the brush at the side of the road and Jango came bounding out. Valery and David came trotting around the corner not long after.
It's like I've found the Philosopher's Stone to life. I'm putting in lead and in return receiving gold. Which reminds me of a quote from The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
“This is for you,' he (the Alchemist) said, holding one of the parts (of gold) out to the monk. 'It's for your generosity to the pilgrims.'
'But this payment goes well beyond my generosity,' the monk responded.
'Don't say that again. Life might be listening, and give you less the next time.”
For that reason I'll always be thankful for the gold I've been given. Even if I can't give it back I'll always give what I'm able. I'd like to think that in the right hands at the right time lead can be just as useful as gold anyway. As always I'll remain incredibly grateful to the kindness of others such as Andy and Louise, David and Valery, They've given me the greatest gifts of all, the fond memories that I'll keep with me wherever I go.
Sincerely,
Zeb
Sincerely,
Zeb
No comments:
Post a Comment