Captain’s Log – Holiday Traditions

Ahhhh, the holiday schedule. We have to get the papers done early so everyone can have some time off and enjoy this beautiful time of year, so our Tuesday deadline moves to Monday for Fernley and Fallon, but we’re on the same schedule for Lovelock on Thursday. 

Between that will be dinner at sister number four’s house on Christmas Eve and then dad’s for Christmas. A lot of living will happen in between the papers this week. And then we do the same schedule again for New Year’s.

When they were first married, number four’s husband, who also was one of six siblings like we are, said as they lived in their apartment while he was in law school, that they would eventually have a big house with a big table so they could host the holiday family gatherings. A few years ago, they got the big house and this year, right before Thanksgiving, they got a huge, family-hosting table. So off we will go. 

Technically, I’ll be alone this Christmas. This has happened before – when the kids were little, they would go to their dad’s every other year, and I would run off to an island or something. The last few years someone has always been home with me and a few times everyone at once. There is nothing like hanging out with your adult children and hosting your traditions for your grandchildren. 

This year they’re all grown up and off doing their own life things, building their own family traditions. There is no island for me this year – newspapering is my island now. 

It’s a double-edge sword of sorts. I love watching these kids build their own lives but also miss those amazing years when they were little. And now I’m the one telling them to “enjoy it while they’re little, they grow up so fast,” just like my mom told me. 

I remember when my grandma would come for the holidays, or we would go to Reno to spend time with her and our great grandma. We always went shopping at Park Lane Mall, have lunch at Sizzler, and then go to the movie theater that was on South Virginia. 

That song from Lion King is now playing on the soundtrack in my head – “It’s the circle of life…”

So while we walk down memory lane and wish you a late Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, we’ll be right here…

…Keeping you Posted.

Rach