Acts of Congress have designated our country’s festivals. Christmas is shown in red numerals on the calendar as December 25th. For families like ours with members who have jobs that continue 24/7, the day is when we say it is. It’s the people that’s important, not the date.
When Ken became a lawman, the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Police was housed in a section of the old Courthouse on Elm Street in Rockford, Illinois. On holidays, a public service announcement stated, “The Courthouse is closed today. ” I talked back saying, “Not all of it.”
Lisa and Kurt grew up to follow in their dad’s duty shoe footsteps–she became an Illinois State Trooper, and he joined his father as a deputy. Kurt married Sandy and they added Katelyn and Jacob to our family. For years, I juggled three cops’ shifts and sleeping hours to come up with a time that the eight of us could gather together for a turkey dinner followed by opening the presents stashed under the decorated tree. The three older officers have retired, but Jacob joined the Rockford Police Department nearly two years ago. Katelyn married Sean this fall. The newlyweds and Sandy have day jobs in offices. We continue to designate our own holidays.
Some of you split your time among various in-laws and outlaws. With old folks living longer and the prevalence of divorce, young people can have many places to be and relatives to see. One day doesn’t have enough hours to visit everyone.
Do you follow the calendar for holidays or set your own?
I would say that now we follow them, but there was a time when we had to accommodate a couple of families so we celebrated on off days. On one of your other weekly blogs, you discussed accommodation during marriage, and this is another example.