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MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Best wishes to everyone celebrating Christmas.

I am in Chicago with the family for Christmas where it has been surprisingly warm for Chicago (30s and even a day in the 40s). I was able to take Luna out for a long walk on the lakefront yesterday. It has been really wonderful.

Last night, we went to hear my 87-year-old mother sing in the St. Mary’s of the Lake choir at midnight mass. This is my childhood church where I have literally spent every Christmas of my life. It is a gorgeous church and I love the fact that it is now part of the tradition of my four children.

Last night, I made our traditional Cioppino soup — a tradition started by my late father, Jack Turley. I hated the soup as a kid so fate has left this tradition to me. I am now as addicted to the soup as my father was.

The kids left their usual Christmas notes that again forced Old St. Nick to stay up to answer a series of probing questions. Aidan took a more litigious approach this year and listed a series of “concerns” over Elf welfare and even the possibly abusive relationship with Mrs. Claus. There were workplace safety concerns and union-busting issues. Santa wrote back with the assistance “of Legal” and refuted each of the allegations while offering Aidan a job in the legal department at the North Pole.

As for Madie, she had a record number of questions including where Santa got his resources for gifts to how many cookies he eats a night (on top of the butter cookies he devoured at our house).

I am about to start the cooking of the beef as well as the Yorkshire pudding, horseradish. and other traditional dishes. We will have the entire family clan over to the house. A total of 28.25 (including the new baby of my nephew Michael and Megan).

All for me, I have only, again, a winning season for the Bears. I am wearing my new bears shirt (I also received a Brandon Marshall jersey!).

The Turley family wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday. I will be toasting our blog family tonight and give thanks for the wonderful community we have created at this site.

Best wishes,

Jonathan Turley

30 thoughts on “MERRY CHRISTMAS!”

  1. We used to be split up families. My husband’s daughters had their Mother, Grandparents,and a large family. Christmas was hard for them. To be in so many places. Now they are married, each with another family to consider. So I came up with spending the Sunday before Christmas with us. Leaving Christmas Eve and Day for others.

    This was our third year, We had both girls with husbands and children. The mother and grandmother of Jon’s daughters. This was our second year with an “adopted” boy, met through a daughter’s church, in the Navy away from home. He has a home for Christmas now.

    It’s the best idea I ever had. We spend the day playing games, major eating, and presents everywhere. Everybody loves it and leaves asking are we doing this next year. You bet, it’s the most wonderful day of our year!

    Hope everyone with complicated family situations has found a way for sharing Christmas with everyone.

  6. I am going on to an event at the 10th Day Dog Adventists parlor. I have already been to the 8th Day Adventists celebration. The 10th Day Dog Adventists have 18 women who work at Hooters. They are all off today and all are bringing their dogs. You guys and gals can all have fun at your Xtian churches while we have a tie one on party. My half blind guy is going to be happy.

  9. doglover said…

    Many people have no family around on Christmas …

    That’d be me, but I have “Dera” my dog and that is enough. I’ll not be on line all day, “Dera” and I have just too much to do. I’m here now after a church service I attended, in a Hispanic community near-by, and the children there are my family. The amazing bright eyed kids can lift anyone up. They doubtless do not know it, but “Dera” does. She’s my close companion and ever loyal…what else is there to require?

    And…thank you Professor Turley for this forum. It’s the only one I’ll visit today.

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