Traditions, slightly modified

Ten years ago, Sandy and I spent Christmas Eve with John and Nicole. We went to the first Lord of the Rings movie and then went out to dinner together. The next year, the second Lord of the Rings movie was out, so we repeated the experience. By the third year, it was tradition. When there were no more Lord of the Rings movies, the tradition changed a little bit: sometimes we watched a DVD instead of going to a theater, sometimes we ate in instead of trying to find a place that was open on Christmas Eve. But it was in the calendar, automatically, that we'd spend Christmas Eve together.

Sandy with John, ten years ago

John and Nicole knew Sandy very well. She lived with them for nearly eight years before she moved in with me in 1997. They are her family, and by extension, they've become my family as well.

So this year, we continued the tradition. I just returned home from the Sherlock Holmes movie and an Italian dinner. We all missed Sandy, of course, but it was a lovely afternoon. I'd seen the first Sherlock Holmes movie in a theater with Sandy, and as I watched this one, I enjoyed it for myself but also anticipated Sandy's reactions to various aspects she'd like or criticize.

Dinner conversation was easy, interesting, familiar. This is the kind of social outing that feeds me right now. Intelligent commentary, the occasional pun, and fond memories of Sandy sprinkled in.

I'm feeling grateful for good friends and for the comfort of tradition.