CHRISTMAS 36 – 2006
December 25th, 2006
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! Ever since the mid-1980’s, the crux of our family’s Christmas celebration has occurred on Christmas Eve. Since 1995, with just one exception, I have hosted this gala affair. This year was no exeception as we once again celebrated in grand style in an evening full of food, family fun, a little football, freaky kittens, and free gifts for all. The evening was attended by Grandpa Murphy, Mom, Bob, Dad, Denise, Aaron, Adam, Bill, Dottie, Arline, Ashleigh, Briana, me, and the cats. Read the rest of this entry »
It’s funny to watch the evolution of a kid’s reactions to Santa. The first one is usually utter terror. My first shots of Ashleigh with Santa showcase a bawling mass of quivering baby. By the second or third year, there is usually rapt fascination with this jolly, bearded legend. Then follows pure euphoria at the prospect of telling Santa what you want for Christmas. Children learn fast that Santa is their bread and butter when it comes to receiving gifts on Christmas morning. Then once a child learns the truth about Santa, they leave him in the dust, embarrassed to even be near him. 
I had seen and enjoyed It Happened One Night, the only film to ever sweep the Academy Awards with Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Actress, but I really got the idea to write a letter to Claudette Colbert because our tent Grand Sheik Carl had had success with her. She, of course, was the Best Actress winner for the aforementioned film – and later garnered an additional two nominations.