A Christmas Tradition

`

The snow was falling gently as they pulled into the parking lot.

“Not many people here,” noticed Jerry. “It may be a bit too cold for them,” he commented.

“Or it could be that it is Christmas Eve,” answered Kasia, as they observed the oval rink through their windshield. The Christmas lights surrounding the outdoor rink lent an air of quaintness to their adventure. The fact that it was Christms Eve made it even more special. Coming to the outdoor rink on Christmas Eve had been the tradition they started once they began seeing each other seriously. It was their thing and now that they had been married for thirty years it still filled their hearts with love to be sharing this moment.

“I like this," said Kasia as they gathered their skates from the trunk. “It is so nice to do something on Christmas Eve. It makes it a quintessential Christmas Eve.“

Jerry laughed. “Being here with you has made it something truly special all these years.”

“You are going to make me cry,” Kasia said as she tightened her skate laces. “At least it isn’t freezing rain this year.”

“I think we have missed only once in the last 25 years,” reflected Jerry. “It was raining too hard. Everything melted. The kids were so disappointed.”

“I wish they could be here,” lamented Kasia. “It always makes it more special.”

“With families of their own and having to visit inlaws and others it has made it difficult. I could see the strain on Beth’s face when she talked about it today.”

“We brought them, even as babies. I don’t understand….”

“You don’t have to. They have their own traditions,” said Jerry as he skated off, dodging people who appeared to be skating for the first time in their lives. Kasia quickly caught up to him. Christmas music filled the air.

“Quality tunes tonight,” Kasia laughed at her small joke.

“They are the same tunes every year,” stated Jerry. “There really need to be some new and catchy Christmas tunes. But traditional songs are ok,” he reflected. A young couple skated by holding hands. Kasia looked left to see a young boy sliding across the ice towards her. She adjusted her speed and swerved to avoid a near collision. She caught her breath. “Hot chocolate?” she asked as they turned around the oval, their crossovers in perfect time.

“An euphemism of the past?” Jerry asked.

“No, real hot chocolate, with those little marshmallows. We had to give up our special hot chocolate years ago. Drinking and driving became too much of an issue.”

“We still made it home in those days, safe and sound.”

“Too many others didn’t.”

“Too bad. It was so much fun.”

Kasia smiled. “It’s time to go. We need to beat Santa home. I still have some preparations to do for the big day tomorrow.”

“It’s nice to have everyone together. It doesn’t happen often,” said Jerry as he looked at all the Christmas lights around the oval. “Our tax dollars at work. This is a good investment. Merry Christmas,” he called out to another couple who had been regulars for the past few years.

“And to all a good night,” smiled Kasia as Jerry started the car.