My grandfather, Uncle Eddie (step-grandfather, actually, hence the “uncle”), gave me John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas album when I was three or four. It’s my most enduring Christmas soundtrack. I’ve been listening to this song for the past couple of weeks, tearing up as I steam broccoli for dinner. I do yearn for family and snow during the Christmas season. Yes, I am 36, and I’ve only been away from home (my parents’ home) for Christmas four times in my life: when I was teaching in Thailand, the year I was instructing in Baja (and actually ended up flying home Christmas day), the year Sylvan was born, and tomorrow.
I am grateful that Sylvan’s paternal grandparents are here to play in the snow with us and create all manner of festive holiday decorations (photos to follow), and I am beyond happy that I am not traveling during Christmastime with two small children, but, ooh, that Christmas for Cowboys smarts.
We recently watched John Denver’s Montana Christmas Skies special. It’s a good one. The only weird part is when he is singing “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” with a bunch of American Indians on the Ft Peck Reservation and they all sing out “like Columbus”. Hmmmm Unlike Eugene, Montana is not known for its PC-ness. Especially in the 80s.
Oops, here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIzgHK0R-9A