Forty-one years ago, Helen and I purchased a small home in one of those idyllic neighborhoods that you read about in children’s books. The majority of the homeowners were couples about our age with small children. We felt free to let those children play in the streets, the woods, and the creek from daylight to dark with little concern, because a caring Mom was watching over them at all times…usually undetected.
Out of the experience, we developed some great friends from that group of families. We have had the good fortune of watching many of the children from that neighborhood develop into responsible parents and citizens with confidence gained from growing up in loving surroundings. Although we moved to another home after twenty-one blessed years, we have maintained contact with many of those folks and their children to this day.
Helen and five of the neighborhood Moms have traveled to Hilton Head, SC on a “can’t miss” gal-pal trip for nearly forty years. Nine years ago, we decided that we should host those Moms and their mates for dinner. The idea was that the husbands could catch up while the ladies plan their next trip and re-live a few of the old ones. Fortunately, the evening went so well that, it too, has grown into an annual event we call the “Meatloaf Dinner.” I shared this event on Easin’ Along both in 2017 and 2018 because I treasure both the experience and the people. Besides, I cook a pretty mean meatloaf.
Helen and I try to liven up the party with something fun before dinner to get everyone in a jocular mood. We have had blind wine tastings, blind beer tastings, as well as songs and games which have been a lot of fun. This year we decided to have a “White Elephant” gift exchange and asked each couple to bring two wrapped gifts. The one restriction we put on the gifts was that each item had to come from that couple’s attic. Everyone our age has stuff they don’t need and, we’re worse than most.
About thirty minutes before dinner, it was time to let the games begin. Helen passed a hat allowing everyone to draw a number indicating their turn at selecting a gift. There are many variations for this game but we keep it simple. The number one person selects a gift from under our tree and unwraps it. Number two could then either select a gift or, “steal” the gift of number one, requiring number one to select again. This process would continue through each numbered person and until number one had the final steal since that opportunity was not available at the beginning. Under our rules, no gift could have more than two “steals.”
A lot of thought and creativity went into the wrapped gifts. Uproarious laughter erupted at many of the unwrappings and many a groan came from a gift holder when a popular gift passed into stealing hands. My friend Townsend cracked everyone up when he opened an unusual vase and had no idea what it was. That vase became advertised as stealable almost immediately–he was happy to give it up. Priscilla stole a Tennessee Vols helmet planter. She wanted to protect it so badly that she had her husband, Tom, steal it from her thereby keeping it safely in the family. I stole Priscilla’s original gift, a jar of Moonshine-soaked Maraschino cherries. They are now in my refrigerator (at least some of them). Helen unwrapped a puzzle she gave to someone in the group last year and ignited a laugh riot.
With the last item, including stolen ones, safely in the hands of a new owner (and on the way back to a new attic), it was dinner time. Before we offered thanks for our meal and our friendship, we paused to pay tribute to a member of our group who left us this year, our dear friend Bob. We all agreed that Bob might not be with us in person, but we felt certain that he was watching over us, probably from a trout stream high up in the Great Beyond. I placed the Red Hat we pass every year to one of the men in our group at the top of the tree. We miss Bob mightily.
The laughter and tales of the old neighborhood and the antics of our children continued well into the night and long after Beth served a desert of Peppermint ice cream and home-made cookies. Anne gave everyone a gift of crosses made in pottery class and took a few orders for a few more. Then came the long goodbyes.
At this time of the year it is easy to get swept up in the frenetic busyness of the season. A pause to spend time with friends and loved ones is essential for Helen and me to get through it all and charge the batteries for what is yet to come. We’re on our way to California for time with the grandchildren and may put Easin’ Along on hold for a few weeks. I’ll share a picture or two from a surfside setting if I get the chance.
We send warm wishes to everyone for the Merriest Christmas ever. We’re Easin’ Along for now–our stockings filled with the gift of friendship.
