It was always about the syrups: blueberry, strawberry, butter pecan and, of course, old fashioned....My father would take my brother and I to IHOP while my mom was "sleeping".
But while my dad was barking at us to "Stop playing with the syrups" while he read the paper, our mom was buying Christmas gifts. The knowledge of which my brother and I didn't figure out until we were older and found "Santa's" presents at the back of our parents' closet....
These Ihop breakfasts were as much a part of my family memories as putting up the tree, hanging the stocking and getting a drunken, beer-soaked kiss from our great-grandmother.
Now, in 2012, my wife shops online and does get to sleep in and I read my cellphone instead of a paper but I still yell at my kids to stop playing with the syrup and I know eventually they'll find their gifts at the back if our closet but for right now...this is Christmas.
This is as part of our holiday as putting up our tree and hopefully if and when my boys have children of their own they too will set up their tree, travel to Ihop (or reasonable facsimile) and yell at their kids... the tree
Hi, I saw your performance on Thursday and wanted to thank you for sharing your talent! I am a teacher in the IE and appreciate the way you portrayed both the frustrations and rewards. I know that your love and positive attitude will make a huge difference in your son's life. With all of my best wishes, Debra Robinson
ReplyDelete