It is just after dinner on Christmas Eve. My five siblings and I have endured the lutefisk-infused meal, alternatively filling up on gravy laden Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, lefse and cranberry steam pudding. The adults are leisurely enjoying this once a year feast. We kids can barely sit still. Gift opening traditionally starts after this dinner.
Itâs already been a long day. Relatives arrived early, lingered over mixed beverages and appetizers, told their repetitive stories or caught up on the latest news. We play games as we wait for dinner. We have been nice. Our parents seem to ignore how unbearably long the wait is.Â