Thursday, December 24, 2015

A Christmas Memory

Forty years ago tonight was the first Christmas Eve I ever spent with Livia. We had been dating since January of that year, and we'd gotten engaged in October. We weren't the sort to go out and party on Christmas Eve (we're still not), so we spent a quiet evening at her parents' house watching TV. All that was nice enough, but then something else happened that made everything even better.

It started to snow.

Now, a White Christmas, or a White Christmas Eve, for that matter, isn't unheard of around here, but they're not very common, either. I wasn't really worried about getting snowed in or not being able to get home because the temperature was above freezing and for the most part the snow was melting soon after hitting the ground. But the flakes were big and fluffy and coming down in a veritable blizzard and turning the ground white for a little while, and as I stood on the front porch with my arm around Livia and we watched that beautiful scene, I think it was quite possibly the happiest moment in my life up to that point. That glow remained strong inside me as I kissed her good night and drove home in the snow a little later, after midnight so technically it was Christmas Day.

I can feel it now, too, just like I did then. I always will. Merry Christmas, everyone, and to all a good night.

13 comments:

Unknown said...

Merry Chritmas, James & Livia!

Unknown said...

Or Christmas.

Adventuresfantastic said...

That's a cool memory. Merry Christmas to you both.

James Reasoner said...

Merry Christmas to you, too, Keith. Hope the blizzard isn't too bad out there this weekend.

Adventuresfantastic said...

Thank you. Since we're heading home Saturday evening after going to my parents that day, I hope the same.

Unknown said...

I remember that year and that snow. Mom & I was headed back from the liquor store at Possum Kingdom Lake to Mineral Wells. I was 18 years old & we bought some Cold Duck & other stuff. Yes the snow was coming down in white sheets & we couldn't see the road in front of us. I told mom to slow down & let the car behind us pass & we could follow their taillights but she told me they were probably following ours. We got home with our booze safely & had a great Christmas. James, Livia, have another great Christmas, maybe the White stuff will follow in a couple of weeks.
Happy Times & Enjoyable Holidays
Victor

Jerry House said...

Best wishes to you and your family for this Christmas, James.

Scott D. Parker said...

That's a great story. thanks for sharing.

Cap'n Bob said...

Have a fine and merry Christmas, you crazy kids.

Jeff Meyerson said...

Great story. Merry Christmas to you both. We once had a little snow on Christmas Day on a visit to New Orleans (in 2004), but here in New York we just set a record for the warmest Christmas Eve ever at 72, and will set a new record today too (mid-60s).

People were ice skating in shorts yesterday!

Charles Gramlich said...

A couple of young uns there!

Rick Robinson said...

Wonderful story, James, thank you for sharing it with us. Growing up in Southern California, I never saw a white Christmas, but we did have snow here in Portland our second year here. No such luck this year, cold and clear today, but we're glad for the dry day.

Merry Christmas to both of you.

Ed Gorman said...

Great story and wonderful photos you and Livia.