Merry Christmas Everybody!

When I was 18 I had the first Christmas with the "New" family.

My Mom had gotten remarried and the new step kids came over for Xmas.

That year my real brother had given me a new stereo receiver. So naturally I had it plugged in to the local classic rock station.

There was a lot of tension. A whole lot of "Who the hell are these people I am spending Xmas with?"

Who the HELL are these strangers that I am having Xmas with?

I still don't know one of their names. My Mom and Frank were together for nearly 20 years until he passed away last February.

God there was a lotta of tension... you could cut it with a fork.. but we used a spoon to get every drop.

SO the bird comes out. The dinner is prepared. Everyone is sitting around the table and my Mom suggests a moment of silent prayer to give gratitude for the day and the meal.

We bow our heads.

And then out of the receiver.. my brand new Xmas receiver comes...

ZZ Top's "She Wore a Pearl Necklace"

I open my eyes in a "Am I the only one getting the joke here?" kinda way.

No.... everyone else's head is bowed in silent prayer. Then I see Nancy.

Nancy has tear coming from her left eye and she is biting down on her lip just to keep the laughter in.

It was then I started to think this whole, new family thing might work out. There are no rules in life.

Maybe I should just grow up and deal with it.

And so I did.