As a kid, one of the things that our family did occasionally on Christmas Eve was go on a hike or a walk together before dark. I wanted to rush though the day so we could open presents and SANTA could come the next morning. During college, because I was working a retail job in my hometown, I often worked Christmas Eve to earn the big bucks and missed out on this time. Over the last decade or so Christmas Eve and the walk that precedes our crab feast has easily established itself as one of my very, very favorite traditions. I can’t explain it, but the time together very much feels like the calm within a storm. The clock stops ticking for us – when do we need to leave, what time do we need to get there, did we pack everything up, have the girls napped, we forgot to bring the wine, or the presents, can you call ahead and say we’re going to be late, unplug the tree before we leave, why are you grumpy, i’m not grumpy, where are we going, what are we doing – all those thoughts and conversations stop and we can just BE and take it all in. And then we eat crab and my heart, soul and tummy all are happy.
