Old Friends At Christmas Time

Tony, Mary, Me. I and Mary were fellow students at Rome 25 years ago. Ever since, I have attended her & husband Tony's Christmas tree decorating party, in all but a few of the years. They are two wonderful souls, tailor-made to be together, and very dear friends of mine. We seldom get together in the non-holiday seasons. During the holiday party, many of the guests joke about being "Christmas buddies" because we almost never cross paths in any other place. They are both well, and Tony's second novel comes out in the spring.

The walk to and from their house was very pleasant & mild for the season, and it was a pleasure to see them again, as it always is. The holiday's religious value is a remote memory in my life, but this party has long since become part of what makes it Christmas time in my little world. And what the Hell --Christmas is still Christmas.