Christmas 2011: A Cousins' Christmas!

Getting ready.

Before the storm

Do we have enough seats?

Buffet at the ready. Bring on the food!

Answer: 30 plates. Question: How many fancy disposable plates (that look like real china) did we buy for Christmas dinner?

Answer: NO! Question: Were 30 plates enough?

It was that kind of Christmas. No worries. My father was prepared with a stash of backup plates from his store room of never ending supplies and groceries. Aunts, uncles, cousins and family-like friends made there way through the buffet line, running out of plate-room before reaching the last chafing dish. Yet, somehow folks made room once they saw that very meaty and tender ribs were in the last dish. And, despite much belly-rubbing and claims of fullness, folks managed to find stomach room to hit the dessert table loaded with red velvet cupcakes, cobblers, cheesecakes, cakes, pies, and cookies. 

What's Christmas without a kids' table?

No one is starving at this table.

"What did I get?" was the question with each gift.

 

You would think all the food intake would keep the noise volume to a low murmur of fork action, chewing, and the clank of lids recovering the many dishes. Instead the food intake seemed to fuel the joke-telling, advice-giving, and trash-talking. The revelry continued with our traditional "Dirty Santa" gift exchange game. The single bar of Oil of Olay soap took the prize for best gift but the box of hand sanitizers was a close second in generating laughs. The occasional calm came when folks took the time to find their photos on the wall of family pictures my mother created amidst the Christmas decorations. I heard a cousin's boyfriend predict that one day he'd be included among the pictures only to gleefully discover that he'd already been included this year. [Is that too much subtle pressure to do what he needs to do to become an official part of the family?]

It's appropriate that a prospective cousin should see his photo among the many family moments on display because this was very much a cousins' holiday. In the week's leading up to Christmas, I was surprised to hear from first cousins trying to make plans to make the trip to Maryland for the holiday. More than one time I questioned why they were making such an effort this year. I didn't see the need to fly from points west or drive from the south for an ordinary Christmas holiday. Fortunately, thanks  to their travels efforts, this Christmas was far from ordinary. It was a very special family gathering made more so by the rekindled bonds among cousins. We even had a cousins' post-Christmas breakfast and began planning our own cousins Las Vegas reunion for next year.

Hanging with my cousins made it all worthwhile.

Yes, I'm whipped from helping my parents host 30+ for Christmas dinner, but I'm energized from the memories and bonds created. Christmas 2011 will always be one to remember. See you in Vegas cousins!

In Lieu of a Letter in My Christmas card

MY 2011

The year has flown by for me as it probably has for you. I don’t know if it’s a function of age or the quickening pace of the world we live in. When I’m not at work here in Atlanta or at one of the six other offices where I’m expected to show my face (now including Dallas and Chicago), my little corner of Atlanta, Sylvan Hills, keeps me running from meeting to meeting, fielding an abundance of emails, and growing my list of tasks. Many of you know from my stories of neighborhood parties and adventures that I'm blessed with amazing neighbors who are friends, caregivers, and just the best folks ever! A highlight of my neighborhood activities this year was a 2-month course in public safety and police department operations at Atlanta’s police academy. No, I don’t have a badge, but I’ve definitely got a new appreciation for law enforcement and the tough decisions and sacrifices they must make in the line of duty. 

CHINA!!!

Traversing China's Great Wall!

As a guest of the Adventurers Travel Club, this year's vacation was an amazing April excursion to China! I learned that garlic chicken wings in China aren’t anything like the chicken wings at home. Fortunately, the view from the Great Wall, the inexpensive yet custom clothing, and the stares from Chinese tourists in Tienanmen Square, made the chicken wings a very minor blip in a most memorable vacation. Yes, my time in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Beijing, was truly a cultural and culinary education. Good thing because the 18+ hours in flight to get to China, could mean my first Asian experience may be my last. Check out my photos!

Overlooking San Francisco and Golden Gate bridge

Mom on Lombard St.

Not nearly as far but both memorable and enjoyable was Memorial Day weekend in Sacramento and San Francisco for our Johnson family reunion (Thanks to my cousin, Alfreda). I didn’t drive my folks cross county as we did in 2008 (Remember that?). I flew while they saw the country from the luxury of an Amtrak sleeper car. We connected at the Sacramento train station along with my Aunt Juanita and Uncle Dave to spend a wonderful time family known and new and enjoy the beauty of the bay area. Thanks to our family reunion Facebook page, I kicked off 2011 meeting a new (to me) first cousin who lives less than 30 minutes away. My cousin, Alvin Johnson (yes, he shares my father’s name), has been an amazing addition to my life and the kind of family member I’m glad and proud to also call a friend. (You, too, Norris!)

The year hasn’t been without it’s scary moments but I’m grateful that those moments had positive outcomes. I had a very vested interest in news reports of possible government shutdowns and cutbacks. I monitored the possible April government shutdown via Chinese television news and was glad to return to the U.S. still employed. Later year federal budget reductions also threatened my 24 years of government employment, but eleventh hour fiscal magic saved the day and our jobs! Most importantly, my parents are both healthy. Dad had successful surgery for his torn rotator cuff (an auto accident injury) and hard fought recovery. He is the physical therapy champion! Mom tried to rock the boat with an encounter with meningitis, but Dad’s quick action and the power of so many prayers yielded a positive outcome and convinced her to try life as a retired lady of leisure. I can't express how blessed I feel to continue to have them and their love. On December 12, 2011, they celebrated 47 years together!

Ashley, the queen of sixteen!

This year’s godfather duties included hanging glow-in-the-dark murals and installing black lightbulbs for Ashley’s “Super Sweet Sixteen” birthday party in February. Hard to believe she is a junior in high school--honor roll student, cheerleader, and dance champ!

Other family highlights include my cousin Angela's beautiful wedding on Labor Day weekend and the addition of my great-grandparents' home to the Alabama historic registry.

The Coleman-Crenshaw home, Greenville, AL dates back to 1821
and owned by my family since 1909.

If you're wondering what's happening with me throughout the  year, check me out on Facebook or send an email to: kajatlanta@hotmail.com.

I hope 2012 is a happy, healthy, and prosperous year for you and yours.


Kenneth