An Aunt Doris Tradition

Growing up, Christmas was always a special time full of tradition. My family always opened our Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve. That’s the way my Grandma Lindsay did it growing up, so we continued the tradition. Feasting, opening gifts, and of course playing with them ultimately led up to Midnight Mass. Following Midnight Mass another tradition would occur…. getting to spend the night at Aunt Doris’ house. Aunt Doris would always leave a few gifts at her house, but hidden. Every year she would make a list of hints and clues to help Mark and I navigate through her house and seek out the treasure. Our own Christmas Treasure Hunt Adventure… an Aunt Doris Tradition that truly ranks as a top childhood memory. Aunt Doris was the coolest Aunt a kid could ask for. She played Atari with us all the time, and I am afraid to say even when we weren’t there. One of the original “gamers” Aunt Doris even suffered from a wrist injury that needed corrective surgery from playing too much PacMan and Dig Dug. I kid you not. She took us on several trips to Old Orchard Beach Maine, a traditional vacation destination for generations in my family. I loved tinkering, fixing, and building things as a kid (still do). One Christmas it was Aunt Doris who bought me my first tool box and hammer. I still have both decades later. These are amongst the memories that will never leave me even though my Aunt has left this earth, and it's memories like these that will ensure that she will never leave me. Rest in peace Aunt Doris.

Love,

John