Fielder's Choice

I'd never said "Merry January" before.

But that was the case this time around as the Burlesons celebrated the bulk of their Christmas on Saturday, Jan. 9.

I've found out that we certainly were not the only ones who had to reschedule family Christmases. Some, I know, celebrated this past weekend and others, I believe, are still waiting.

COVID-19 is affecting so many families. Please pray for those who continue to deal with sickness and death due to this virus.

For the first time ever, our immediate family did not have its Christmas get-together at our house.

We stopped in Tupelo on the morning of January 9, en route to Alabama, to eat breakfast, open gifts and share good times at son Andy and daughter-in-law Brooke's house.

As we drove up, it looked and felt a lot like Christmas, even though it was January. Snowflakes were falling that cold, cold morning.

Andy and Brooke are enjoying their house near the downtown area, after moving from an apartment in 2020, and we all enjoyed their first hosting.

It was good to have longtime friend (or really second mother to me) Rubye Del Harden join us, too. She is indeed a part of our family. We love her dearly.

We left Tupelo in early afternoon and headed to Marion County, Alabama, for the bigger family Christmas.

On drives over to Hamilton for the holidays, I always remember my dear mother, who passed away in 2013. She loved Christmas. She loved her family and she loved every opportunity to have us all around, particularly the grandchildren. But she loved God more, and for that I am most thankful.

Mother made the best turkey and dressing. We miss that ­ plus the banana pudding.

But we still have plenty of food, and it's all good. We typically get there early in the afternoon, eat a late lunch, and then after games and gifts, we go back for leftovers close to dinner-time.

This time around we followed the same pattern, and even though it was January, once we got rolling, it was just like the past Christmas get-togethers.

I've gotten pretty good at guessing the total number of pieces of candy in a good-sized jar. I came the closest last year and won and tied this time around with Andy.

We also played a form of Pictionary. Drawing is not my strong point. But I did OK.

The unwrapping of gifts is, of course, always fun. Typically, at my age, I receive clothes or gift cards to buy clothes. And that's exactly what I need.

I'm thankful for all my Christmas gifts this year ­ from everyone.

One special gift this Christmas came from my wife Pam. She bought me some prescription sunglasses. Believe it or not, I've never had any. I've always just battled the sun, with my regular prescription glasses ­ even on our beach trips. I've never owned contacts.

Another special gift came from Rubye Del. She gave me a beautiful red tie that belonged to her late husband Roy. He passed away suddenly December 15, 2020, and he was a great man ­ loved dearly by myself and all the Burlesons.