Christmas Traditions

My mom and dad have always valued the importance of tradition. Our family Christmas has had the same traditions for as long as I can remember. One tradition is going to the movies and eating Chinese food on Christmas Eve.

A few years ago, I spent Christmas with my parents alone…and no offense to my brothers, but it was one of my favorite holidays. It was the first time in my life that I committed a crime. The fact that I did it with my parents makes it all the more enjoyable.

It was the year Charlotte’s Web was released and my mom had some big fantasy about seeing it. So, my dad and I decided to play along and see the movie with her. So, after the movie was finished, we decided it was too early to go home. My dad had this to say, “I should probably see Happy Feet. It starts in 5 minutes. Lets go.” And so for the first time in my life, I snuck in to a movie without paying. The thrill was overwhelming...I know I'm pretty tough.

I think back to that memory often and it came to mind recently because I’m spending Christmas Eve with my parents alone, once again. The following conversation happened tonight:

Dad: No I am not going to see How Do You Know. I’m sick of Reese Witherspoon and Jack Nicholson.
Me: How can you be sick of Reese Witherspoon? She hasn’t made a movie in 2 years. And when was the last time you saw a Jack Nicholson movie?
Dad: I saw that one with him and that actress I can’t stand…Diane Keaton.
Me: Something’s Gotta Give? You never saw that!
Dad: Fine. I didn’t see it, but I saw the preview and didn’t like it.
Me: Well, then how can you say you’re sick of Jack Nicholson?
Dad: I saw him in that movie where he had OCD and that was enough.
Me: No. Doesn’t count. That was 10 years ago.
Dad: Fine. One Who Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Easy Rider. A Few Good Men. Doesn’t matter, still not seeing How Do You Know.
Me: Wow! Well, I’m not going to see The Fighter. Christian Bale looks freakish in that and I can’t take it.

Mom: How about Narnia?
Me: Okay. I’ll go see The Fighter.