Postscript: The Christmas 2016 Wrap-Up
It’s December 26. Maybe there’s still a present left for you to unwrap. Some homemade cookies or baked goodies to open and check out the selection. The 
tree still aglow with lights.
In the family of my origin, Christmas was over on December 26. Ornaments and decorations were neatly packed away. And if the tree was artificial it would be banished to the storage area of the garage. And by December 31, there was certainly no creatures stirring or any signs of this particular holiday in existence in the house. I know some might think the scene rather harsh - perhaps even Scrooge-like - but I never gave the practice a thought. That’s just the way it was.
As we grow older and move away, we may carry on traditions of our youth or start new ones. As families evolve so do traditions. We may start a new holiday protocol of sorts.
This year, I celebrated Christmas on the 24th with family. A traditional(for us) pizza dinner followed by a gift exchange. Wham bam, thank you ma’am and I’m on my way way home before the clock strikes midnight.
Christmas for me has become my own tradition: a movie or two and some Chinese food.
So yesterday, there was some clean-up around the house, some time here in the ‘Rain with a post and checking in with some members. Then I was ready. Yesterday’s movie was Jackie -- the “story” of Jacqueline Kennedy in the seven days after the assassination of her husband, President Kennedy. I know, not exactly the uplighting subject matter you might think of on a holiday but I will tell you, in my opinion, this is a riveting movie. While there will be those who will doubt its accuracy --- remember it’s a movie and for about 90 minutes you can suspend reality(as I often do). I recommend it not only for Natalie Portman in an amazing performance but the taut screenplay and acting of others as well.
Then it was onto Chinese food. This time it was a vegetarian Chinese restaurant, Happy Family Restaurant in Atlantic Times Square at 500 North Atlantic Boulevard Suite 171(the restaurant faces Atlantic) in Monterey Park. There is no website but the phone is 626.282.8986 and is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. It’s been awhile since I’ve visited Happy Family. Previously there were two menus -- an all-you-can-eat in addition to the a la 
carte menu. Selecting two entrees was just the right size(still enough for leftovers mind you): Kung Pao “chicken” and “shrimp” with asparagus --- please take note of the quotation marks as it is vegetarian but you really can’t tell. Believe me, there’s no shortage of Asian restaurants of every flavor in the San Gabriel Valley so if you’re in the area, let your nose be your guide.
Happy Boxing Day. Happy Kwanzaa. And if your Christmas tree is still standing...enjoy that too.
Published: December 26, 2016
Postscript: The Christmas 2016 Wrap-Up
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