It's Christmas Eve...

...and all is calm...downright sedate in fact.

But years ago, 'twasn't so...

...five sons made sure of that.

We trimmed the tree...

...while carols played, admiring Christmas lights.

We read about St. Nick's big trip...

...around the world that night.

We marveled as three Christmas Ghosts...

...gave Scrooge an awful fright.

And cheered his reformation,

O what a joyful sight!

Then off to bed if not to sleep...

...not much rest sublime.

I'd do it all again tonight...

...could I travel back in time.

But time and tide, so Chaucer wrote,

...for no man tarry they.

And now my sons, once little boys,

...have grown and moved away.

It's true this night has changed a bit,

...much calmer than before.

But now - as then - we celebrate...

...the advent of our Lord.

11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

    - Luke 2:11

Merry Christmas, mcm fans...

It's Christmas Eve...

...and all is calm....downright sedate in fact.

But years ago, 'twasn't so...

...five sons made sure of that.

We trimmed the tree...

...while carols played, admiring Christmas lights.

We read about St. Nick's big trip...

...around the world that night.

We marveled as three Christmas Ghosts...

...gave Scrooge an awful fright.

And cheered his reformation,

O what a joyful sight!

Then off to bed if not to sleep...

...not much rest sublime.

I'd do it all again tonight...

...could I travel back in time.

But time and tide, so Chaucer wrote,

...for no man tarry they.

And now my sons, once little boys,

...have grown and moved away.

It's true this night has changed a bit,

...much calmer than before.

But now - as then - we celebrate...

...the advent of our Lord.

In spite of a snow storm to kick off the week, there will be no white Christmas this year...

...temps in the 50's have returned and there's nary a snowflake in sight.

kinda going the wrong direction

That’s fine with me...I'll swing my hickories for a while, then most of our children (and their kids) will gather with us over the next couple of days.

Lord willing, a good time will be had by all.

One that won't be with us...

Ryan, 1981 - 2021

...is my 2nd son Ryan;  he celebrates Christmas in heaven now.

I do so look forward to seeing him again, but for the time being that remains a pleasure denied.

Until the day of our happy reunion I soldier on, giving thanks to God in heaven for the gift of His Son and the chance to share another Christmas with loved ones here on earth.

I hope you do, too.

As Cole Porter opined musically so many years ago:

"You do

that voodoo

that you do

so's time to

23 Skidoo!"

(it's possible he may have tweaked the lyrics a bit on the <final version>)...

yes, he does have a water dish

"apple pie without some cheese is like a kiss without a squeeze"

apparently their mother never taught them it's impolite to stare

lowered the flag due to 40mph wind gusts, but Santa and his team weathered the storm without issue

As we close up shop at the Atomic Monster Cafe on this Christmas Eve, we leave you with our Christmas greetings:

Merry Christmas, mcm fans...

Dear Ryan,

 

It's Christmas Eve...and no surprise, you're on my mind.

The wreath in front of your tree was Karen's idea.  She wanted to pretty it up, but I told her it was perfect just the way it is...a little bit rough cut, like you were.

I imagine you would have skipped the bow, but I like it...a nice touch, and we even put some lights on it so it’s easy to see from my office.

Is it a big celebration in heaven tonight?

Or does that happen on the anniversary of the actual night Christ was born to Mary in that manger so many Christmases ago?

The King of Kings and Lord of Lords taking on human flesh in the most humble surroundings...incredible.

Either way it must be a spectacular event...all the hosts of heaven joining together in praise and adoration for the new born King, and now you're part of it!

Amazing.

I'm truly happy for you, Ryan.

I know, as the writer of Hebrews said, you've "laid aside every weight and the sin which so easily besets us" and you're now running with patience the race God has set before you.

What a wondrous experience that must be!

So it seems petty to even mention it, because you've got bigger fish to fry, but I miss you...

...and I wish I could hug you one last time on this Christmas Eve, because this time I'd know and would make it count.

I wouldn't take for granted that I'd see you again, that you'd always be around.

I wouldn't leave things unsaid in the ridiculous belief there's always another time to say them.

I'd look you in the eyes and tell you I'm sorry for the times I failed you, for the moments when I let you down, when I didn't live up to my responsibilities as your father.

And I'd make sure you really know I love you, that I'm proud of you, that I'm thankful to God in heaven you're my son.

Just one more chance, one last time before you were gone...

But that's not how it works, is it?

Because the truth is, I already had those chances...

...every time I saw you, every time you walked through my door at Thanksgiving, every time we met together for breakfast at Denny's...

...and I squandered them.

For what, exactly, was I waiting?

Now that door's closed, that opportunity missed, and what can I do?

We soldier on.

So until that future day...until we meet again in heaven...

Merry Christmas, Ryan.

 - Dad

'Tis Christmas Eve...

...and all is calm....downright sedate in fact.

But years ago, 'twasn't so...

...five sons made sure of that.

We trimmed the tree...

...while carols played, and drank hot chocolate.

We read about St. Nick's big trip...

...around the world that night.

And then we watched as Christmas Ghosts...

...haunted Scrooge in threes.

And cheered his reformation...

...with jocularity.

Then off to bed if not to sleep...

...not much rest sublime.

I'd do it all again right now...

...could I travel back in time.

But time and tide, so Chaucer wrote,

...for no man tarry they.

And now my sons, once little boys,

...have grown and moved away.

And so this night has changed a bit,

...much calmer than before.

But then as now we celebrate...

...the advent of our Lord.

Merry Christmas, mcm fans...