I’m like a kid full of excitement. A friend gave me holiday chocolates from Russia and I’m smiling ear to ear. Plus, it’s almost Christmas Eve and auntie’s babies will come over. Years ago, I commandeered Christmas as my special time with my babies (although some are grown still my babies). The tree has been trimmed by a dear friend and looks picture perfect. I changed the menu twice, but it is set and the table is fit for dignitaries. My mom again protested about the stemware and good china for the kiddies. However, if I can’t take out the best for auntie’s babies then it can’t be used for anyone.
My nieces and nephews are growing. Once they hit high school I feel like the hands of time are against me. Just four years and off they go into the world. Little time left to prepare them for surviving, thriving and being a productive member of society. As I child, I wanted to be Auntie Mame – expose my nieces and nephews to more than their small corner of the world and make them cosmopolitan instead of metropolitan. Teach them to honor the past and traditions, but forge boldly into the future. This holiday I try to infuse tradition and add new things. There’s the added bonus of seeing their smiles and laughs, particularly because they forget that I love to add gag gifts.
For many this is a highly stressful season. However, I hope you spend it around the ones you love, laughing and smiling into the New Year!
Ronda is an attorney, writer, and entrepreneur. She is a contributing writer for the Huffington Post. Originally from Chicago, she has lived in Los Angeles and New York. She loves to travel and is passionate about education equity, especially for first generation college students.