By Suzanne Sparrow Watson
In the musical, “Carousel”, a young couple sing a song about their future, when they can look back on a life well lived. The song contains one of my favorite phrases: “When today is a long time ago.” That phrase perfectly summarizes the sentiment of Christmas for me. The holiday season by its very nature brings forth sentimentality and remembrance of Christmases past. As usual, Winston Churchill phrased it perfectly when he said, “Christmas is a season not only of rejoicing, but of reflection.”
I’ve experienced many good Christmas celebrations, including watching grandchildren’s faces light up on Christmas morning when they see, for a fact, the existence of Santa. But the most sentimental memories harken back to days long ago. There are three Christmases that stand out for me, in part because, even at the time, I knew that one day I would look back on them with a special fondness. The first was in 1971, when, as the photo clearly illustrates, my brothers and I were a lot younger. But that Christmas was special because our brother Jack and his family came home for the holidays. His job had taken him to Canada that year, so we had gone months without seeing him and his family. We had so much fun, finally gathered in one place again, with a renewed appreciation for being together.
The second Christmas I remember fondly was ten years later – 1981. It had been an eventful decade, with some rough marital challenges, so Christmas Eve ended up being just our parents, us three kids, and Bob’s wife, Linda. We had a very long cocktail hour, followed by a delicious dinner, and then someone (I think it was Bob) suggested that we go Christmas caroling in our parents’ neighborhood. Everyone except our mom (who was more reluctant than the rest of us to make a fool of herself) serenaded all of their friends in the area. I think we brought our own refreshments, and then people invited us in for more, and all I remember is Dad singing “O Come, All Ye Faithful” with much gusto as we wandered down the street, laughing all the way. Remembering that night still brings a smile to my face.
Finally, in 2000, I remember Christmas with sentimentality and a bit of sadness. Dad’s heart was weak, he had lost a lot of weight, and we knew his time was short. We gathered at Bob and Linda’s house, Pop dressed up in a green sweatsuit, just like an elf. Despite this rather poor photo of him, he was in his usual cheerful mood. He was very tired and early in the evening, as the rest of us gathered at the outside bar, Pop decided to take snooze in the family room recliner. When I went into the house to check on him, he was dozing, but awake enough that he took my hand, and told me how much he loved me. He died just four weeks later. Christmas has not been the same since.
We pay homage to him each time we’re together, re-telling stories or invoking some of his hilarious quips. And each Christmas we fix Pop’s Christmas Ice Cream fizz. It was one of his specialties and he made it every Christmas morning. It is delicious, and fattening, as all good treats should be. Unlike Christmas cookies or pies, the fizz has the added benefit of making you feel just a little bit better. Sometimes that can come in handy on Christmas morning. So, this year we are once again sharing his recipe so that you and your family might also enjoy this wonderful tradition.
Bob and I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas. Many of you will be able to gather together again this year and that alone makes it a Christmas worth remembering, when Christmas 2021 is a long time ago.
POP’S CHRISTMAS ICE CREAM FIZZ
Fill a blender 1/4 full of ice cubes
Add 6 jiggers of gin
Add 4 scoops of French Vanilla ice cream
Add 1 small bottle of soda water (the size you get in a 6-pack)
My brother Bob adds an egg, so the white adds some froth, brother Jack doesn’t add an egg. Personally, I’d add it just because you can then claim it’s a protein drink.
Just blend it well and – voila – you have a concoction sure to put a positive spin on everyone and everything!
Our mom served them in a wine glass with a dash of nutmeg. As we got older, we would conspire with Pop and ditch the wine glass for a chilled beer mug from the freezer. Saved having to go back for seconds…or thirds.