A Barnes Sibling Christmas Tradition

Christmas Eve would finally dawn and we’d spend all day building a fort. Every sheet, blanket and pillow in the house,
went towards the creation of our own magnificent fortress. While each kid contributed to the overall
structure of the fort, we were each responsible for whatever interior we
desired to sleep in. And then come the
late hour of 6:00pm we set out Peppermint Bark and Diet Coke (our Santa
didn’t like milk) and we would hustle to our little dens to sleep.  We did this for years. Even when my friend Misty came to visit,
bless her heart. And yes, three of us
were college graduates. 

The rules have changed a bit since boyfriends and
husbands started attending Christmas.
The fort has diminished to a trundle bed for whatever sibling is in from
out of town, our curfew has extended from 6:00pm to 10:00pm and Santa gets
carrots, celery and Pelligrino in lieu of cookies. But every year, gathering with my siblings
has remained some of the best moments of my year. 

This year I’ll spend it a little different. The husband is taking me to California to
spend it with his family. Fortunately
for me there will be nieces and a brand new nephew to build forts with. And maybe this year I can eat the cookies and
Diet Coke.