happy christmas eve

traditions.
something about nostalgia. its like a fireplace lit in my mind's eye. warming cozy familiar.
we have newly born traditions here in kolkata. like north american christmas eve.
presents and dinner and being together.
celebrating. giving gifts to these girls is one of my favoritve things about christmas. we know one another and finding the perfect gift or three or five...is just too easy and so much fun. there's SB parties my first of many to come i hope. and english turkey dinners to delve into with our friends from around the world, our Kolkatan mosaic family.
but then i think on those deeply seeded traditions. the ones that seem to bleed out of me when this season rings in. lovingly sewn by my family.
there's pj's to open each and every christmas eve.
and communion and the christmas story to celebrate before we head to bed.
there's home baked bread that keeps my mouth watering
and a great fake tree that just refuses to die...
there's the final walk through of the mall with my bro and dad...we like to go just to see the panic stricken faces of all the husbands..."just put something in my bag" they must be saying.
there's waking up to carols floating up the stairs, or more commonly the the synthasizer of Manhiem Steamroller jamming in the morning air...
mom making cinnamon rolls and sausage links
and my dad, like a little kid rolling back the curtains of excitement
he'll walk back and forth from dinning room to living room in quiet expectation
revealing just how much he loves to celebrate...mom, chach, me...and the Savior we worship
armed and ready with camera and some sort of letter or gift bound to make us all cry...
yes, i suppose wherever we are there's traditions to be planted, celebration to be had. a chance to really Be with those we love.
its only unfortunately that i cannot be with everyone all at the same time. so even as i enjoy and worship and celebrate with my family here, my mind is still pulled towards home towards roots that can never be unearthed no matter how far away i wonder.

happy christmas eve.

ps-here's a little glimpse into my family christmas album