The Best of Palit Family Christmas

As a way of commemorating the ghosts of Christmas past, I have decided to create my personal list of "The Top Ten Palit family Christmas Memories." Here they are in chronological order:

1988: First Christmas in Grand Rapids. I received an ice blue Kermit-the-Frog Casio and proceeded to make musical fusion from the tender age of seven. Also, Sonya and I sadly interpreted some deer hoof prints on the front lawn to be incontrovertible evidence of Santa's existence.

1990: In a heated discussion, Dad mistakenly "leaks" Santa's identity to a young and impressionable TKP by asking the rhetorical question "Thaniya, do you REALLY think a fat man can go down all those chimneys in one night?"

1992: Sonya bursts into tears upon presenting her lengthy Christmas list to Mom and Dad after she hears me claim that "all I want for Christmas is for our troops to come home."

1994: Much to my disappointment, no one alerts me that the "Cross Colours" clothing trend is on the decline BEFORE making my Christmas list.

1996: My high school boyfriend is perplexed by my thoughtful gift of socks and becomes convinced that our relationship is on the decline.

2000: Mom mysteriously gives me the book "The Joys of Yiddish," despite my having never expressly indicated an interest in either Yiddish or the joys thereof.

2001: Christmas in Las Vegas. Who could forget the memorable Christmas brunch in Luxor Casino consumed just beneath a large, rotating convertible?

2002: Dad unveils his own karaoke version of Elvis' "Blue Christmas" to our family, friends, and everyone at Village Inn Pizza.

2003: Mom is photographed with the breadmaker she asked for and was given. Oddly, it is never seen again after Christmas day.

2004: Christmas in Dhaka with friends but no family. I recieved an "Ali G." DVD and actually had to turn on the air conditioner.


Merry Christmas (or "Happy Secular Hindu Holiday" as my sister and I like to say) to all and to all a good night.