When I was young my family would host Christmas night dinner and all of my cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents would come over. Some years even my Grandpa Namaye would make the trip from Maui. Of course being Hawaii, it was potluck-style and we had alot of food. I remember Grandma Kiyosaki's teppo sushi. She'd wake up early and wash, soak and cook the rice, prepare the vinegar su, the daikon strips, the cucumber and cook the sato-shoyu tuna. I always loved the smell and the activity in the kitchen on Christmas Day but I was numb to it because I was enraptured with all of my newly opened, shiny toys. It's funny I only seem to remember the warm, homey feelings about the people and not THE gifts I got.
I don't know how mom did all she did at Christmastime—with getting the tree, shopping, decorating, grocery shopping, wrapping gifts, getting rooms ready for guests and of course working full-time and taking care of us kids—but she did. Mom was known for making her turkey and her stuffing (that I remember Gwen sooo loving) and her konbumaki. She made it once a year at Christmastime and everyone looked forward to it. Aunty Sarah would always show up with her super ono stuffed hasu (lotus root) and some incredible dessert. I remember once she made a very festive-looking red velvet cake. (Who knew it was a southern cake?) Dad would be on the lanai icing the beer and soda, unfolding the beach chairs and cooking something in the kamado. Was it ribs? Whatever it was, I'm sure it was ono. Aunty Ethel would bring her local-style kimchee. I remember she and Uncle Don would come early and have to leave early because of the long drive from-and-to Wahiawa. I could go on and on. All I know is everyone loved the food and being together.
After dinner and alot of talking story, we'd do the proverbial "white elephant" grab bag. One year we wrapped up a cymbal-crashing monkey that squaked. Man, everyone wanted that dang monkey. It went from person to person. All we knew was that we, the Namayes didn't want it. Alot of laughs ensued. With leftovers in everyone's hands, we hugged and said our "Merry Christmases" and went into the night.
When my parents moved to Hilo in 1994, our family get-togethers stopped.
Until this year.
Until this year.
On December 30th we all met up at Maple Garden for dinner. Although alot of people are no longer with us, and a bunch couldn't make it (Reyne and her family, Neil, Joey and Drew), we still had a good time. It was great to see each other again, to catchup and pickup where we left off. We've all aged and alot of us have children who are now in college and high school but we are still family. A family that has evolved, grown and changed. Instead of grab bag, we exchanged omiyage for the season. Once again we hugged and said our goodbyes and take cares and went into the night.
Until next time.
Until next time.
