Grandma clapped her hands and guided the chatter to a soft murmur. 'Alright, kiddos, gather 'round the tree! Little ones up front!'
With the signal, the young cousins moved in unison, almost as if choreographed. Babies cooed in their siblings' arms, and two particularly new additions to the family, mere weeks old, were cradled tenderly by their older siblings. The age gradient was evident as they sat down in a semi-circle—newborns, toddlers, preschoolers, all the way up to the eight-year-olds. Thirteen grandchildren in total, and two infants so new they were barely distinguishable from the dolls some of the older kids held. A few moments of confusion arose as one or two uncles had difficulty discerning where the dolls ended, and the babies began.
Mom unzipped the floral fabric bag and removed the Kodak camera, its bulky shape suggesting a time long past. 'Say cheese,' finger hovering over the camera's shutter button.
On cue, a chorus of voices shouted, 'Cheese!'—each syllable stretched to fit the curve of their smiles. The cube flash flickered to life with a burst of light, momentarily eclipsing the room's softer glows.
Now, nearly six decades later, I look at this photo and feel the echo of that childhood excitement, the warmth of that room, and the lasting significance of those traditions. Christmas may look different now, but the love, joy, and family it brought us are timeless.
Merry Christmas Eve to all. May your night be filled with the magic of the season, the warmth of family, and the joy of cherished traditions.
