By  LPJ

It’s a glorious Christmas day. I am at the home of my son John, daughter-in-law Natasha and grandson Eliott in El Cerrito, close to Berkeley, California. The day started with a sumptuous breakfast of fresh-baked rolls, frittata, ripe melon slices and orange juice, the perfect breakfast before a lively gift distribution and opening. This morning’s frittata, delicately textured, was one of the best I’ve eaten, and I definitely would like to get the recipe and cooking tips from Natasha. If I make it half as good, I’d be content enough.

With Christmas music playing softly in the background, the gift sharing was pleasurable, with exclamations of excited oohs and ahs in the midst of wrap tearing and box opening. Each package was a mystery until opened. At times, I like my gift to remain a mystery, beautifully wrapped, and tempting or teasing. But this time, I gave in to the urge to discover what were in the wrappings. Among other delightful things, I received a family-produced 2025 calendar with gorgeous pictures of my grandson, his parents and his pet dog Burt (a mix of Chihuahua and Shih Tzu). I also got an attractive turquoise scarf from Eliott, and I wondered how he guessed my favorite color and how he knew that I love wearing scarfs. I asked my grandson to take a picture of me, smug with my lovely new scarf.

Our Christmas celebration actually started the day before. We attended the Christmas eve service in the afternoon at First Presbyterian Church on Cal Berkeley campus. Half of the congregants was composed of children of all ages, including teenage youths who participated in a pageant that dramatized the birth of Mary’s baby Jesus in a manger, kept watched by Joseph, the shepherds and the animals, and visited by magi from far-away lands. The Christmas story always fascinates me, especially when acted out by children in costumes with props representing their role in the nativity scene. It is endearing to see the excitement in the children’s faces, as they pretend to be sheep, or little angels with wings, or long-robed, crowned royalty.

Christmas eve dinner was a delicious spread of Hunan spiced dishes that initially stang our palate that eventually got immune to the sting. The beef, chicken, pork, beans and eggplant dishes were so good. It was movie night, too, for a fun and enjoyable watch of The Christmas Story adapted from Jean Shepherd’s novel. The evening was topped by a facetime chat with my daughter Joy and son-in-law Matt relaxing at their home in Hermosa Beach. That seemed like we were celebrating Christmas together, we in northern California, and they in southern California.

Today, right before dinner, we played the game Farkle a contest of high scores from the roll of the dice. My contenders were Eliott, Natasha and Julia, a family friend and Eliott’s adoptive aunt. I didn’t expect to win, being a neophyte in the game, but I rooted for my grandson who aced the competition. I love contests in a competitive family environment, especially when the winner is the youngest of the brood.

Dinner of steak, roasted cabbage with cheese, baked potatoes and fresh spinach salad was another elaborate Christmas meal fully enjoyed. The roast, cooked to perfection by John, was a real treat. Another movie night: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, a heartwarming and cleverly written story about the conversion and transformation of a renegade bunch of orphaned sibling youngsters. Intermission in movie watching had to occur, for a yummy dessert of home-made mouse topped with whipped cream and mint leaves.

As I write this blog, with Eliott’s cute doggie Burt snuggling on my foot, I look out the window of John, Natasha, Eliott’s home on the hill of El Cerrito, to bask in the beauty of the scenery.  The view of San Francisco bay and Mt. Tamalpais never fails to awe me. I am grateful that my Christmas is gifted with a lovely view, sumptuous meals, fun activities, a loving company and a warm, turquoise scarf that I think I will sleep with tonight. Indeed, a very merry Christmas!

Linda P. Jacob