Christmas Eve.
How could I forget to add an entry about Christmas Eve??!
My parents split a few years ago. My dad had a major cancer scare, panicked, divorced my mom, ask my mom to get back together, was rejected, panicked again, on-line dated and then married the first woman that showed interest.
And now we are here. My father is married to a crazy, crazy Portugese woman. Did I mention crazy? I don't think it is the cultural thing, although that does add its moments of comedy.
My dad, who is an agnostic, has never surprisingly gotten on well with overly religious people. So it is fun to watch his new wife announce to everyone, "we are going to midnight mass". I look to my father to see his reaction. Nothing. He is veileed and looking to the floor.
She carries on, delighted in the fact that she has an attentive audience. "We will need to get ready as we will be leaving soon". My dad laughs, "Oh, yeah. We need to get ready. We have three hours".
She smiles. (I would say almost sinisterly) "We need to be there by 10:30". There is something calm about the way she states that. She is pleased at the reactions she will receive.
My dad really reveals his emotions now. His exaggerated face displays wide eyes and mouth. "What?!"
"Oh, yes. We will be going to church at 10:30" (pause) "Otherwise, we will not get a seat". My father begins shifting in his seat. "I am not going to church an hour and a half before mass starts".
Oh yes she says. My dad just half laughs and shakes his head. "No, I am not going to sit in church for that length of time to go to church."
This back and forth dance continues. She insists they will have to stand. He says he is willing to stand. She insists they won't get in the church. He says he will wait in the car.
She doesn't like this and the laughter it brings. She needs to raise the anty. She does it and marvelously.
She looks at the floor, tilts her head to one side and says, "When we go to mass tonight, I think I may bring my baby Jesus [doll] and have the priest bless it".
Silence.
How could I forget to add an entry about Christmas Eve??!
My parents split a few years ago. My dad had a major cancer scare, panicked, divorced my mom, ask my mom to get back together, was rejected, panicked again, on-line dated and then married the first woman that showed interest.
And now we are here. My father is married to a crazy, crazy Portugese woman. Did I mention crazy? I don't think it is the cultural thing, although that does add its moments of comedy.
My dad, who is an agnostic, has never surprisingly gotten on well with overly religious people. So it is fun to watch his new wife announce to everyone, "we are going to midnight mass". I look to my father to see his reaction. Nothing. He is veileed and looking to the floor.
She carries on, delighted in the fact that she has an attentive audience. "We will need to get ready as we will be leaving soon". My dad laughs, "Oh, yeah. We need to get ready. We have three hours".
She smiles. (I would say almost sinisterly) "We need to be there by 10:30". There is something calm about the way she states that. She is pleased at the reactions she will receive.
My dad really reveals his emotions now. His exaggerated face displays wide eyes and mouth. "What?!"
"Oh, yes. We will be going to church at 10:30" (pause) "Otherwise, we will not get a seat". My father begins shifting in his seat. "I am not going to church an hour and a half before mass starts".
Oh yes she says. My dad just half laughs and shakes his head. "No, I am not going to sit in church for that length of time to go to church."
This back and forth dance continues. She insists they will have to stand. He says he is willing to stand. She insists they won't get in the church. He says he will wait in the car.
She doesn't like this and the laughter it brings. She needs to raise the anty. She does it and marvelously.
She looks at the floor, tilts her head to one side and says, "When we go to mass tonight, I think I may bring my baby Jesus [doll] and have the priest bless it".
Silence.
posted by Heidi at 3:33 PM
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