What do the Halvorsons do for Holidays?

This is our annual Christmas picture, traditionally taken on Christmas Sunday.  It is usually the one gift my mom receives for Christmas, and she is most happy with it.

I'm often asked, what my prestigious family does for holidays.  My parents, pastors of the same church for over 40 years have seen many holidays come an go.  Usually the answer to that question is "work". And when the question is asked "do you all get together and have a big meal?"  The answer usually is "no".

It is guaranteed that if it is a major Christian Holiday, all of us have worked our tails off  that day - Easter especially.

This year was exceptional for several reaosns.  Ronda had directed the choir, Wendy, Jarrod, and Angela sang, Mike did his regular thing, and Dad did his regular thing - preaching and running the service.  What was unusual was the amount of us out sick - Mom and myself, and surprisingly Jeff.

Thank God the Hargus family,who decided to bless us with lunch.   We congregated at my parents' house and had a wonderful lunch.   We went through some old pictures and laughed our heads off.  The party continued as Ronda came to see my new house - the one I've lived in for 2 months now, because she has been too busy to even come look.  And we laughed some more.

In the past, my mother would cook the full Easter dinner.   My grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and specific friends would gather at my parents' house for a full meal After Mom had directed two or three major productions that morning.  There were days that my Aunt Alice, or cousin, April would host at their homes, which was a blessing.  But WHY did we have to do it on Easter Sunday?

One answer, because we were stoooopid!   My uncle, Dave Tanner, is a pastor in Corona (the next town over).   Many times the entire family would have to "eat and run" because we all needed to return to our respective churches for an evening service.  The lunch was hurried, the clean up was hurried, the visiting was hurried, and everyone ran out the door leaving the hostess with a huge mess.

Another answer, Grandma.  After all, it was tradition.  We all ate together on Easter Sunday, Mother's Day or whatever holiday Sunday for her, she expected it, after all, that's what she always did.  But Grandma never cooked for that many people, and especially not after the incredible amount of stress of at least two Sunday morning services.

Gone are the days of the big get togethers, they kind of fizzled after Grandma passed.  Gone are the days of Easter egg hunts, not only are our kids too old, but now they do it at church.   Gone are the days of tradition - and we like it that way.

For us, Christmas Eve day or the day before, depending when it falls is our Christmas.  We eat lasagna, mac n cheese, and ice cream.   Thanksgiving isn't much different - every other year we have it with our family on the following Friday - that way the in-laws get us one year, and we're sure to get together ourselves.

Birthday and anniversary celebrations are rare.   Lets run this down - Jeff's birthday is right after New Years; Mike, Mom and I all have our birthdays the week of school graduations;  Dad's birthday is the week school starts, and Ronda's is Thanksgiving.   But for the kids, when they were in school, their big excitement was that all 4 of them were taken out of school, and hurried to Denny's for lunch on the recipients special day -  now Wendy is at University, Jarrod is graduating, and all of them have classes that they actually HAVE to attend

If I can leave you with this bit of wisdom, actually, the whole reason for this entry - Its not the day, don't get hung up on the date, or you will ruin your great time together.  Focus on when and where you can be comfortable and all can be together.  Its not the presents, its the presence.  Its the laughter, and the sweet shared moments that now have become so valuable.

K 3-31-13 (in the middle of the night, so please excuse typos)