Staying in the Duchy for the holidays

Here we are, December 28th, the hump day of the holidays. Like a Wednesday in the middle of the week, we’re perfectly wedged smack dab between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. As the festive family time of Christmas fades in our rear view mirror, the wonder of a new year waits on the horizon to welcome us. All feels kind of cosy here in “Oh little town of [Luxembourg]” despite the lack of snow. 

We’ve tried going back to the US or Estonia for Christmas. It was never easy or fulfilling.  Someone always felt gypped. That was before we even left. And then there was the travel. Getting to the airport; getting through the airport. Then weather and crowds and kids, oh my!

It didn’t get much better once we got to Chicago or Tallinn. People to see. Gatherings to go to. We were pulled here and there; time spent running around to meet with family and friends becoming more exhausting than celebratory. In the end, nobody was merry.

We’ve thus changed tack come the holiday season. For the third year in a row, we stayed here in The Grand Duchy for Christmas. Some say it’s boring and there’s nothing to do here. Perhaps, but we like “how still we see thee lie”. It gives us a chance to rest, relax, and make our own family traditions.

I wonder if my mom was thinking the same thing when she as a new bride left the Italian Alps in 1953. She’s only gone back for one Christmas since then. It was when I was a boy of twelve. That was a long time ago. The trip was nice, but I have better childhood memories of being at home with just my mom and dad, my brothers and sister, and me. We’d crowd around the table, then the Christmas tree. There would be a fire, and we’d tear into our gifts.

That’s pretty much what we do here, and so far it has worked for us. Nevertheless, there’s a new year on the horizon. Who knows what those headlights have in store.

By Dan Franch