Since I was a child, my family and I have never had a solid Christmas tradition. When I was much younger, we would open presents on Christmas eve night or Christmas morning, but over the years even that much has not remained for the most part. In recent years, we’ve done gifts whenever and then concentrate spending Christmas itself with extended family. There’s nothing wrong with any of that. I do know what Christmas is really about. I just have a hard time getting pumped up about everything that, in my life at least, Christmas has come to be about or encompass. I hope I’m not wrong for thinking like this. This year we exchanged gifts almost a week before Christmas day because it was the only time we would be able to spend with my sister and her husband and son. So when I woke up Christmas morning and got ready to head for my parents house for lunch, all of these thoughts were going through my head. I didn’t know what the day would hold since all of the “rituals” were over. I got to the house and mom had prepared tacos and quesadillas. It was honestly one of the most perfect meals I’ve had in a long, long time. After lunch was over, I was informed of intentions to play my all-time favorite card game: rummy. To those of you who have never heard of this game (most seem to have not), you’re missing out. This is a game that I learned to play at my grandma’s house when I was a boy. When my grandma passed away, the card game seemed to pass away with her. I never realized how much I missed it until I played it again. It was like a friend had been revived from the dead. We played a game and then went to Morrilton to visit my grandparents for a little while and on the way back to the house I insisted that we play again. Not once did we discuss the meaning of what day it was, and I know it’s okay because I saw my family get a little closer together. I have no doubt that God was pleased with the Puckett family on that day. It was a rich fellowship that I will likely never forget. 2008 was one of (if not the) best Chistmas(‘) I’ve experienced. As perfect of a day as it was, it could have only been better if Lauren, Danny, and Alex were there. I thank God for Christmas.