It's that time of year ... the annual watching of our favorite Christmas movie - Christmas Vacation (no, not It's a Wonderful Life - Marty can't stand to see Jimmy Stewart hit his own uncle.) It was a wonderful, cold and rainy Sunday, so after church we decided to put up the Christmas tree early and nothin' says Christmas like Chevy Chase aka Clark Griswold singing, Joy to the World, getting the perfect tree, untangling knots of Christmas lights, and generally trying to make a "good old-fashioned Christmas" for his family.
Don't try to follow the whole movie literally, but think of the general themes. Family, flawed but together. The parents that are thrilled with Clark no matter what. A lot of grace ... and grace with Aunt Bethany. More about the traditions instead of the gifts. A LOT of silliness. And no hitting.
That's me.
I envision and work for the perfect family gathering cemented by food. The more the merrier and I want it to be a perfect memory for each and every one. It's never perfect. My absolute favorite part of the movie is when Clark finally gets all the Christmas lights to light up. I choke up every time. He is so earnest.
I used to sing in a silly voice for Brian and Scott - they rolled their eyes - perfect reaction. I sing in that same silly voice for Abby and Grant. At four, Abby has started to roll her eyes. At 1 1/2, Grant still laughes (at least I don't scare him).
Marty and I raised our kids on The Simpsons & Christimas Vacation and with no apologies ... they turned out just fine. Quick aside lest someone rants theological on me - those that know us know that movies and sitcoms were not our only resource for raising kids or living life - 'nuff said.
So as Marty and I put up the tree this year ... the weekend after Thanksgiving ... thankful for the times our family can get together. We are all flawed, not always comforming to the Hallmark version of when and how everyone gets together. And we look forward to this whole Season.
Joy to the World!
2 comments:
"drumroll please ..."
"don't throw me down Clark"
"do you really think it matters Eddie?"
"Isn't that something. She gets kicked in the head by a mule ... her eyes go crossed. She falls down a well ... her eyes go un-crossed ... I don't know"
Ms. Mosely,
I just read this blog entry.. made me laugh and choke up a little. So poignant... "a little flawed" or "a lot flawed" aren't we all? But, it's all about the memories and what's in the heart, right?
We, too, love the movie. We watch it every year more than once and this year my brother was in town. For the rest of his visit we quoted the movie and laughed! Thanks for sharing... I'm new to blogging, and I enjoyed discovering yours tonight!
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